Penguins

Penguins are special birds that cannot fly. Instead, they are incredible swimmers! Their wings work like flippers in the water. Most penguins live in cold places near the South Pole, but some live in warmer areas too.

Life in the Cold

Emperor penguins live in Antarctica, the coldest place on Earth. They huddle together to stay warm in freezing temperatures. The father penguin keeps the egg warm on his feet for about two months. Penguins have a thick layer of fat and waterproof feathers.

Two emperor penguins stand with their fluffy baby on the ice.
Two emperor penguins stand with their fluffy baby on the ice. (Ian Duffy from UK / Wikimedia Commons)

Amazing Swimmers

Penguins spend about half their lives in the water. They can swim up to 15 miles per hour. Penguins eat fish, krill, and squid. Some penguins can hold their breath for over 20 minutes while diving deep in the ocean.

Fun Facts

  • Emperor penguins can dive deeper than 1,800 feet.
  • There are 18 different species of penguins.
  • Penguins can drink salt water because they have special glands.

Did You Know?

The smallest penguin is the little blue penguin, which is only about 13 inches tall. The biggest is the emperor penguin, which can be almost 4 feet tall!