Where do they live?

Did you know that not all penguins live in cold climates? There are only two kinds of penguins that live in and around the Antarctic, 

Also called the South Pole. The rest live in warmer areas live in warmer areas south of the equator, like Australia and New Zealand.

Are all penguins the same?

There are several different kinds of penguins. The Emperor penguin is the most famous and the biggest. 

This bird can be a meter tall and wigh over forty kilograms. The smallest of the penguins is called the Little Penguin

It is only 40 centimeters tall and weighs about one kilogram. Penguins all have a similar shape. They have a short neck and a long body. 

Penguins have a black back and white front. You can tell the different kinds of penguins by the markings on their heads and necks.

Can penguins fly?

Penguins are birds, but they cannot fly. They are excellent swimmers.

In fact, penguins can swim as fast as 25.5 kilometers an hour and can stay under water for over 20 minutes.

Penguins are cute animals because they waddle when they walk.

Who looks after the chicks?

Male and female penguins both share in looking after their chicks. Most species of penguins lay two eggs.  

When the chicks are born, one parent stays home while the other looks for fish to feed the chick. 

Emperor penguins are different. The female Emperor penguin lays one egg during the worst part of the winter

and then goes out to hunt for food for several weeks. In the meantime, the male keeps the egg warm until the chick is born

and the mother returns with food. When penguin chicks are about one year old,  

they are ready to go into the sea and catch their own fish.