Mind-Blowing Facts About Penguins You Probably Didn’t Know

Many people consider penguins to be among their favorite creatures on the planet. There’s something special about seeing a group of flightless tuxedoed birds gathering in groups and waddling from place to place. However, the fact that penguins are among the rare bird species that can’t fly isn’t the only interesting thing about them. In honor of these feathered friends, we have compiled a list of facts about penguins that are sure to blow your mind. Read on and become a penguin expert among your friends.

Penguins Stay Warm With Feathers and Oil

With the exception of some penguins that live near the Galapagos Islands, most penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere and seek out colder climates. In order to stay warm, penguins have a couple of built-in mechanisms. First is their feathers. Some people have the misconception that penguins are covered with fur, but that’s not the case. 

Penguin feathers are incredibly advanced. They have anti-icing technology, which means that they can repel ice and prevent the accumulation of surface ice. It makes it easier for them to jump in and out of freezing water without getting icy patches on their body. Penguins molt their old feathers every 2–5 weeks, so they always have the best protection. In addition to their super feathers, penguins also have a gland near the base of their tail that provides waterproof oil. That’s why penguins often turn backward and peck near that area with their beaks. They’re getting more oil to spread onto their wings.

Penguins Can Walk Up to 60 Miles

If you’ve seen penguins in movies or at the zoo, you’ve likely seen them waddling to and fro. At first glance, that may not seem like the most efficient way to travel, but penguins are actually very quick, and they travel long distances at a time. In fact, it’s not uncommon for penguins to walk over 60 miles at a time, and they can walk upwards of 2.4 miles per hour. Penguins’ feet are very strong. Their legs are set farther back on their bodies, which makes steering while walking and swimming easier. Another way penguins move quickly across land is by jumping out of the water and sliding on ice, or by lying down and tobogganing on their bellies to slide along the surface and rest their feet. Penguins can also swim quite quickly, with many species reaching up to seven miles per hour while underwater.

There are 18 Different Penguin Species 

While opinions on this can differ based on the expert you’re speaking with, it’s generally agreed upon that there are 18 different species of penguins walking around the world. The penguins of the world include:

• Adelie Penguins
• African Penguins
• Chinstrap Penguins
• Emperor Penguins
• Erect-Crested Penguins
• Fiordland Penguins
• Galapagos Penguins
• Gentoo Penguins
• Humboldt Penguins
• King Penguins
• Little Penguins
• Macaroni Penguins
• Magellanic Penguins
• Northern Rockhopper Penguins
• Royal Penguins
• Snares Penguins
• Southern Rockhopper Penguins 
• Yellow-eyed Penguins

Some of them live on the Antarctic continent, while most live throughout the Southern Hemisphere. They all have their own unique traits. You can learn more about all of them at Penguins International.

Penguins are Black and White to Avoid Predators

One of the most common questions about penguins is about their unique appearance. Though not all penguins are the traditional black and white, many are, and it’s on purpose. Their coloring is a form of countershading or camouflage that makes spotting them tough for predators.

When penguins are swimming in the water, predators that are swimming below them look up and can get confused because their white belly blends in with the light surface above the water. Meanwhile, predators swimming above penguins look down and are confused because their black coloration blends in with the colors of the ocean floor. Common predators of most penguins include sharks, seals, killer whales, various birds, and even foxes and other land-based threats.

Penguins Don’t Have Teeth

It may not be surprising to bird aficionados that penguins don’t have teeth. However, many people assume they do because penguins are carnivores. Their diets consist of a variety of meaty prey, including squid, fish, krill, crabs, and other seafood that they mostly catch while swimming. Penguins are constantly eating, especially during the summer, when they consume about two pounds of food per day. Still, they don’t chew food with their teeth. Another reason some people may mistakenly believe penguins have teeth is that they have small spines on their tongues, which can look like teeth. The spines point towards their throat, and they look like teeth. The purpose of these spines is to keep fish inside their mouths and help them swallow.

Penguins Are Monogamous for an Entire Season

Another one of the more interesting facts about penguins is that they choose a mate and breed only with them, at least during the entirety of a single breeding season. Most penguins will lay at most two eggs per year. Some, like the emperor penguin, only lay one. Once a penguin finds a mate, they work like a team. They both take turns incubating and warming the eggs. Sometimes, like in the case of the emperor penguin, the male takes the primary responsibility for the incubation work. When the next breeding season comes around, penguins look for a new mate. Sometimes, the same two penguins will reunite, but it’s not common, and they may find other mates the next time.

A Group of Penguins Walking on Land is Called a Waddle

Most animals have a name for when a group of them gets together. In the case of penguins, a group of them walking on land is called a “waddle.” It’s a cute name because that’s how most penguins appear to walk. However, that’s not the only name that penguins have. During breeding season, penguins gather into large groups to attract mates. That group is called either a rookery or a colony.

That’s not all. Often, when the parents go hunting for food, the small penguin chicks will gather in a group for protection. That group of penguins is called a creche. Finally, a group of penguins that are swimming together and floating near the surface of the water is called a raft. 

Penguins Range From Very Small to Very Tall

As mentioned, there are 18 different penguin species in the world, and they all have distinctive features, including their size. If you see many different species of penguins in the same area, you’ll likely notice the height differences. The shortest penguins are literally called “little penguins.” They are known for their blue-gray feathers and stand about 12 inches tall. The tallest of all penguin species is the emperor penguin. They can reach up to 51 inches tall, which is taller than most young children. In addition to their height, you can also recognize emperor penguins by the faint yellow patches near their ears.

Penguins Have Solid Bones

One of the defining characteristics of most birds is that they have hollow bones, which weigh less, so they can fly high in the sky. However, penguins are quite different. They have solid bones. Having heavier, solid bones allows penguins to dive and stay underwater longer, making it easier for them to hunt and swim without floating to the surface unintentionally.

Penguin Populations are Declining

The final, and perhaps most disturbing, fact about penguins is that many of their populations are declining. As of the time of this writing, penguins are amongst the most threatened of all seabirds. Current threats to many penguin breeds include climate change, pollution, disease, and reduced food availability. Much of this is due to commercial fishing. 

While most penguin species face some level of threat, some are at greater risk than others. One of them is the African penguin, which is considered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to be “critically endangered.” Their population has decreased dramatically over the past 40 years due to a variety of threats, including humans who are overfishing their food sources. 

The large emperor penguins are considered to be “near threatened” by the IUCN. They mention the main reason is due to climate change and the depletion of the ice they rely on to thrive. There are also the Galapagos penguins, which are considered “endangered,” mostly due to El Niño events over the last several years.

Finally, one of the rarest penguins in the world is the yellow-eyed penguin, which is found along the coasts of New Zealand. It’s estimated that fewer than 3,000 currently exist. Conservation efforts are currently underway to preserve the species. Needless to say, if you happen to come across a penguin, wave hello, but then leave them alone. They’ll appreciate your kindness, and we’ll be able to enjoy them for years to come.