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Species of Penguins Most scientists recognize 17 species of penguins and 11 of these species are in danger of becoming extinct. For example, there are only a few thousand Galapagos penguins left because El Niño depleted the fish they eat. There are also only a few thousand left of the yellow-eyed and fiordland penguins which live south of Australia. Dangers to the penguin include: pollution, overfishing, coastal development, climate changes, and even tourism. Find out more at the PBS site: NATURE: The World of Penguins - Protecting Penguins. For all you scientific types, penguins belong to the Class of Aves, the Order of Sphenisciformes, and the Family of Spheniscidae. All Antarctic penguins are legally protected by the Antarctic Treaty. Now you can click on each species to see a photograph, map, and more specific information!
Actually, only a few species of penguin live in the cold Antarctic region year-round. The penguin is found not only in Antarctica, but also around the coasts of most islands of the Southern Hemisphere, which is their native habitat. Penguins are also found off the coasts of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America. Some penguins are found as far north as the Galapagos Islands that straddle the equator and are part of Ecuador. Some species spend as much as 75% of their lives in the ocean. Now you can click on each species to see a map, photograph, & more specific info!Penguin Babies Emperor penguins have different breeding habits from other penguins. The Emperors don't build nests; instead, they hold the egg on top of their feet under a loose fold of skin called the brood patch. Also, they are the only species of penguin that doesn't breed during the short summer months. All other penguins breed on the land or on sea-ice that is attached to the land during the short summer months. Most species of penguins build nests even though these nests may consist only of a pile of rocks or scrapings or hollows in the dirt. Penguins lay eggs like other birds and the parents take turn incubating the eggs. The mother lays 2 eggs at a time. |
