Waddle This Way!
Penguins are some of the cheekiest, most lovable creatures in the animal kingdom - and they're full of surprises! Though they’re officially birds, penguins can’t fly. Instead, they’ve swapped wings for flippers and taken to the sea as super swimmers. Whether they're waddling upright, belly-sliding through snow, or zooming through the ocean, penguins are built for adventure!
Where Do Penguins Live?
Not all penguins live in icy Antarctica! While a few species like the Emperor and Adélie penguins thrive in the far south, many live in warmer coastal regions, including South Africa, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. You’ll even find some near the equator!
Some of our species
Little Penguins
Little Penguins, also known as Fairy Penguins, are the smallest penguin species in the world, standing just over 25cm tall and weighing around 1kg. Native to New Zealand and Southern Australia, these tiny waddlers are packed with personality!
Gentoo Penguins
Gentoo Penguins are the speedsters of the penguin world, reaching swimming speeds of up to 36 km/h! They live on rocky shores and icy islands in the Southern Hemisphere, where they build nests out of pebbles - and even steal them from their neighbours. With their bright orange beaks and white headbands, they’re easy to spot and can grow up to 90cm tall!
Humboldt Penguins
Humboldt Penguins live along the rocky coasts of South America and are named after the chilly Humboldt Current they call home. These loyal little penguins mate for life and can recognise their partner’s call even in a noisy colony of thousands. They grow up to 70cm tall and love to nest in burrows or rocky crevices near the shore.
King Penguins
King Penguins are the second-largest penguin species and live on sub-Antarctic islands with chilly beaches and rocky shores. They’re expert divers, often hunting for fish and squid at depths over 100 metres. With their sleek feathers and golden-orange markings, they can grow to over 90cm tall - almost as big as a small child!
Conservation Status
Penguin species face a range of threats from climate change to overfishing and pollution. Some, like the African Penguin, are sadly Critically Endangered, while others are more stable. Of the 18 known species worldwide,11 are listed as globally threatened!
Conservation programs worldwide are working to protect their habitats and ensure penguins continue to thrive.
Penguin Fast Facts
Heavy but Handy Bones
Penguins have dense bones, unlike most birds. This helps them dive deep and withstand water pressure.
Helper Parents
Penguin mums and dads take turns keeping their eggs warm and feeding chicks—some even recognize their partners and babies by sound alone!
Clever Camo
Penguins have a special pattern called countershading - a light belly and dark back that helps them blend in and hide from predators above and below.
Fish Fans!
Penguins love seafood! Their diet includes fish, squid, and krill—sometimes they even eat up to 2kg of food a day.
Our conservation work with Seabirds
Across the globe, SEA LIFE cares for seabirds, such as puffins and penguins through research, rescue and release - protecting vulnerable birds and supporting wild populations through expert care and conservation.
Discover more
Fallen in love with penguins and want to keep exploring these feathered friends? Find you local SEA LIFE Aquarium and get up close to penguins to learn more!
Find your local SEA LIFE centre today