Animal Guide

Emperor Penguin

1 destination · 1 state

Native Range: Antarctica

Emperor penguins have a calm, upright presence on land, but their movement through water is a completely different story. At an aquarium, watch one dive from the surface and accelerate with powerful strokes of its flipper-like wings. It may suddenly porpoise above the water before slipping back beneath the surface. On land, the birds often stand close together, shuffle across the ice, or communicate with soft calls and distinctive head movements. Their size is noticeable too. Emperor penguins are the largest living penguins, with adults standing around 1 meter tall. Look closely at the head and neck for the yellow-orange markings that brighten their otherwise black-and-white plumage. In the wild, they breed on Antarctic sea ice and endure some of the coldest conditions faced by any bird. Their dense feathers and layer of body fat help keep them warm in freezing temperatures. Seeing an emperor penguin move between quiet stillness on land and rapid, streamlined swimming underwater gives a vivid sense of how specialized it is for Antarctic life.

Where to see Emperor Penguin

1 destination across 1 state

1 destination

SeaWorld Orlando

Orlando, FL

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