Penguins | Spheniscidae

Penguins are a species of flightless aquatic birds that live south of the equator with the exception of one species that lives on the Galapagos Island. Having adapted for the water instead of the air, the penguin’s wings have evolved from wings to flippers; useful for propelling the penguin through the water. For its diet, penguins feed primarily on fish, krill, squid, that they hunt underwater. Penguins spend half of their lives on land and half of life in the water. The penguin is primarily black and white, but many species, such as the Emperor Penguin, have accents of colorful plumage on their faces and necks.

What do penguins eat?

Penguins typically eat the prey that is available in their habitat. King and Emperor Penguins mostly eat fish, but may also eat krill, crustaceans, and cephalopods. The diet of Adélie, Chinstrap, and Gentoo penguins mostly made up of Antarctic krill, silverfish, and glacial squid.

Why can’t penguins fly?

Although penguins are classified birds, their wings are more suited for water. A penguin’s wings are more like flippers and allow them to swim in the water. While they are on land their wings help them keep their balance and walk. Scientist believe penguins lost the ability to fly through evolution.

How do penguins stay warm?

Penguins stay warm through a layer of fat that protects them and serves as insulation while they are in the cold water. While they are on land the layers of overlapping feathers keep them warm, and protect them from harsh weather conditions.

Penguins Guides
Browse through our curated Penguins Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Penguins. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
18”-28” | 46-71 cm
8-13 lb | 3.6-6 kg
11-20 years
Adélie Penguin
71.000
6.000
20.00
2900
GUIDE
3D
Adélie Penguin
24”-27” | 61-69 cm
7.5”-8.7” | 19-22 cm
4.4-8.8 lb | 2-4 kg
10-30 years
African Penguin
69.000
22.000
4.000
30.00
23350
GUIDE
3D
African Penguin
27”-30” | 68-76 cm
7-12 lb | 3.2-5.3 kg
15-20 years
Chinstrap Penguin
76.000
5.300
20.00
6900
GUIDE
3D
Chinstrap Penguin
43”-51” | 110-130 cm
49-99 lb | 22-45 kg
15-20 years
Emperor Penguin
130.000
45.000
20.00
44000
GUIDE
3D
Emperor Penguin
20”-26” | 51-66 cm
9.4”-11.8” | 24-30 cm
6-13 lb | 2.7-5.9 kg
10-20 years
Erect-Crested Penguin
66.000
30.000
5.900
20.00
1200
GUIDE
3D
Erect-Crested Penguin
21”-23” | 53-58 cm
7.9”-9.1” | 20-23 cm
4.4-13.2 lb | 2-6 kg
10-20 years
Fiordland Penguin
58.000
23.000
6.000
20.00
1600
GUIDE
3D
Fiordland Penguin
18”-21” | 46-53 cm
5.5”-6.7” | 14-17 cm
3.5-6 lb | 1.6-2.7 kg
15-20 years
Galápagos Penguin
53.000
17.000
2.700
20.00
16400
GUIDE
3D
Galápagos Penguin
20”-35” | 51-90 cm
11-19 lb | 4.9-8.5 kg
15-20 years
Gentoo Penguin
90.000
8.500
20.00
9900
GUIDE
3D
Gentoo Penguin
24”-28” | 61-71 cm
7.9”-9.4” | 20-24 cm
8-13 lb | 3.6-6 kg
10-20 years
Humboldt Penguin
71.000
24.000
6.000
20.00
11200
GUIDE
3D
Humboldt Penguin
28”-39” | 70-100 cm
21-40 lb | 9.3-18 kg
15-30 years
King Penguin
100.000
18.000
30.00
15000
GUIDE
3D
King Penguin
63”-67” | 160-170 cm
17.7”-19.3” | 45-49 cm
198-220 lb | 90-100 kg
Kumimanu
170.000
49.000
100.000
750
GUIDE
3D
Kumimanu
12”-15” | 30.5-38 cm
4.7”-5.9” | 12-15 cm
2-3.5 lb | .9-1.6 kg
5-7 years
Little Penguin
38.000
15.000
1.600
7.00
19800
GUIDE
3D
Little Penguin
24”-27” | 61-69 cm
7-14 lb | 3.2-6.4 kg
15-20 years
Macaroni Penguin
69.000
6.400
20.00
15000
GUIDE
3D
Macaroni Penguin
24”-30” | 61-76 cm
8.3”-10.6” | 21-27 cm
5.5-14.3 lb | 2.5-6.5 kg
20-30 years
Magellanic Penguin
76.000
27.000
6.500
30.00
8400
GUIDE
3D
Magellanic Penguin
16”-18” | 41-46 cm
6.3”-7.5” | 16-19 cm
4-10 lb | 1.8-4.5 kg
10-30 years
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
46.000
19.000
4.500
30.00
2070
GUIDE
3D
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
26”-30” | 66-76 cm
9.8”-11.4” | 25-29 cm
8.8-14.3 lb | 4-6.5 kg
15-20 years
Royal Penguin
76.000
29.000
6.500
30.00
4400
GUIDE
3D
Royal Penguin
22”-28” | 56-71 cm
7.9”-10.2” | 20-26 cm
5-10 lb | 2.3-4.5 kg
15-20 years
Snares Penguin
71.000
26.000
4.500
20.00
260
GUIDE
3D
Snares Penguin
25”-39” | 65-100 cm
6.3”-10.2” | 16-26 cm
22-66 lb | 10-30 kg
Waimanu
100.000
26.000
30.000
540
GUIDE
3D
Waimanu
24”-31” | 61-79 cm
8.3”-11” | 21-28 cm
8-18 lb | 3.6-8.2 kg
10-25 years
Yellow-Eyed Penguin
79.000
28.000
8.200
25.00
6100
GUIDE
3D
Yellow-Eyed Penguin
Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti)
Measured comparison illustration of the size of a Humboldt Penguin to a typical person and similar penguins

The migrant Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) got its name from the German explorer Alexander von Humboldt. It is medium-sized and endemic to South America, especially on the western side. Male and females are differentiated by head width, and bill length as males possess longer bills. The feathers on the chest are white, and those on the back are blackish-grey. The head is black but with white stripes under the eyes. These stripes also wrap around the head and connect at the chin. It is differentiated from other species that it co-exists with, like the Magellan penguin by a solid, black breast band. This feature also separates it from juveniles that have no breast-bands. The Humboldt penguin shows different vocalizations for communicating in different ways.

Humboldt Penguins have an overall height between 24”-28” (61-71 cm) and body width of 7.9”-9.4” (20-24 cm). The typical weight of the Humboldt Penguin is in the range of 8-13 lb (3.6-6 kg). Humboldt Penguins have lifespans between 10-20 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Humboldt Penguin in front and side poses
The migrant Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) got its name from the German explorer Alexander von Humboldt. It is medium-sized and endemic to South America, especially on the western side. Male and females are differentiated by head width, and bill length as males possess longer bills.

Humboldt Penguins have an overall height between 24”-28” (61-71 cm) and body width of 7.9”-9.4” (20-24 cm). The typical weight of the Humboldt Penguin is in the range of 8-13 lb (3.6-6 kg). Humboldt Penguins have lifespans between 10-20 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Humboldt Penguin in front and side poses
Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti)
Height:
24”-28” | 61-71 cm
Width:
7.9”-9.4” | 20-24 cm
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
8-13 lb | 3.6-6 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Spheniscus humboldti
Lifespan
10-20 years

Drawings include:

Humboldt Penguin side elevations, front, back

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)
Dimensioned elevation drawing of the Adélie Penguin compared to the height of standing man

The Adélie Penguin is named after Adelie Land who was the wife of Jules Dumont d’Urville, the French explorer who discovered the penguin. The Adélie Penguin is the most wide spread and southernly distributed of all penguin species, with its only habitat is along the coast of the Antarctic continent. The species' distinguishing marks are the white ring that surrounds the penguins’ eye and feathers at the base of the bill, and their appearance resembles a tuxedo. Adélie penguins can swim at around five miles per hour, and they can leap 10 feet out of the water to land on rocks or ice.

The Adélie Penguin has an average height range of 18”-28” (46-71 cm), weight of 8-13 lb (3.6-6 kg), and typical lifespan of 11-20 years.

Drawings of Adélie Penguins in an assortment of postures and stances from standing to walking
The Adélie Penguin is named after Adelie Land who was the wife of Jules Dumont d’Urville, the French explorer who discovered the penguin. The species' distinguishing marks are the white ring that around the penguins’ eye and feathers at the base of the bill, and their appearance resembles a tuxedo.

The Adélie Penguin has an average height range of 18”-28” (46-71 cm), weight of 8-13 lb (3.6-6 kg), and typical lifespan of 11-20 years.

Drawings of Adélie Penguins in an assortment of postures and stances from standing to walking
Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)
Height:
18”-28” | 46-71 cm
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
8-13 lb | 3.6-6 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Pygoscelis adeliae
Lifespan
11-20 years

Drawings include:
Adélie Penguin standing (side), looking (side), standing (back), walking (side), standing (front)

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus)
Size comparison illustration of a Chinstrap Penguin compared to the height of a person

The Chinstrap Penguin acquires its name from its appearance, a narrow black band of feathers under its head, making it appear as if it were wearing a black helmet. Due to its large harsh call, its other names include ringed penguin, bearded penguin, and stonecracker penguin. The Chinstrap Penguin avoids detection from predators through countershading camouflage with its black back and white underside.  Further, its tightly packed feathers provide a waterproof coat that allow it to swim in freezing waters. The species has a circumpolar distribution, and they breed in Antarctica, Argentina, Bouvet Island, Chile, the Falkand Islands, the Fresh Southern Territories, and South Georgia.

The Chinstrap Penguin has an average height range of 27”-30” (68-76 cm), weight of 7-12 lb (3.2-5.3 kg), and typical lifespan of 15-20 years.

Collection of illustrations of Chinstrap Penguins in multiple positions from standing to walking
The Chinstrap Penguin acquires its name from its appearance, a narrow black band of feathers under its head, making it appear as if it were wearing a black helmet. Due to its large harsh call, its other names include ringed penguin, bearded penguin, and stonecracker penguin.

The Chinstrap Penguin has an average height range of 27”-30” (68-76 cm), weight of 7-12 lb (3.2-5.3 kg), and typical lifespan of 15-20 years.

Collection of illustrations of Chinstrap Penguins in multiple positions from standing to walking
Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus)
Height:
27”-30” | 68-76 cm
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
7-12 lb | 3.2-5.3 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Pygoscelis antarcticus
Lifespan
15-20 years

Drawings include:
Chinstrap Penguin standing (side), standing (back), walking (front), standing (front), jumping (side), standing (winter woman)

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus)
Dimensioned size comparison drawing of the King Penguin compared to the height of an average man

The King Penguin is the second largest penguin species; slightly smaller than the Emperor Penguin, the King Penguin is similar in appearance to that of the Emperor Penguin, but it can be distinguished by its straighter bill and sleeker body. King penguins breed on the Sub Antarctic islands on the northern regions of Antarctica, South Georgia, as well as other temperate islands; they are classified under least concern conservation status. The species’ diet consists of mostly laternfish, squid, and krill, and King Penguins can dive over 300 feet to catch their prey.

The King Penguin has an average height range of 28”-39” (70-100 cm), weight of 21-40 lb (9.3-18 kg), and typical lifespan of 15-30 years.

Series of drawings of King Penguins in various postures from walking to standing and looking
The King Penguin is the second largest penguin species; slightly smaller than the Emperor Penguin, the King Penguin is similar in appearance to that of the Emperor Penguin, but it can be distinguished by its straighter bill and sleeker body. King Penguins can dive over 300 feet to catch their prey.

The King Penguin has an average height range of 28”-39” (70-100 cm), weight of 21-40 lb (9.3-18 kg), and typical lifespan of 15-30 years.

Series of drawings of King Penguins in various postures from walking to standing and looking
King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus)
Height:
28”-39” | 70-100 cm
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
21-40 lb | 9.3-18 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Aptenodytes patagonicus
Lifespan
15-30 years

Drawings include:
King Penguin standing (side), looking (side), standing (back), walking (side), standing (front), standing (winter man)

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus)
Measured comparison illustration of the size of a Magellanic Penguin to a typical person and similar penguins

The medium-sized Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) is highly migratory, commonly seen in most South American coasts, though some traces can be seen in Australia and New Zealand. It is named after the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Males Magellanic penguins are larger than females, and both parents take part in raising young ones. Typically, Magellanic penguins have white abdomens and black backs, showing two unique black bands within the head and breast. However, juveniles only have one black band under their neck. In addition, juveniles have grey-blue backs and a botched pattern on their feet. Adults, on the other hand, have webbed feet.

Magellanic Penguins have an overall height between 24”-30” (61-76 cm) and body width of 8.3”-10.6” (21-27 cm). The typical weight of the Magellanic Penguin is in the range of 5.5-14.3 lb (2.5-6.5 kg). Magellanic Penguins have lifespans between 20-30 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Magellanic Penguin in front and side poses
The medium-sized Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) is highly migratory, commonly seen in most South American coasts, though some traces can be seen in Australia and New Zealand. It is named after the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

Magellanic Penguins have an overall height between 24”-30” (61-76 cm) and body width of 8.3”-10.6” (21-27 cm). The typical weight of the Magellanic Penguin is in the range of 5.5-14.3 lb (2.5-6.5 kg). Magellanic Penguins have lifespans between 20-30 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Magellanic Penguin in front and side poses
Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus)
Height:
24”-30” | 61-76 cm
Width:
8.3”-10.6” | 21-27 cm
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
5.5-14.3 lb | 2.5-6.5 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Spheniscus magellanicus
Lifespan
20-30 years

Drawings include:

Magellanic Penguin side elevations, front, back

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Related Animals Collections
Animals