Animal Guide

Subantarctic Gentoo Penguin

4 destinations · 4 states

Native Range: Subantarctic islands and southern oceans

Subantarctic gentoo penguins are lively birds that bring constant movement to rocky coastal habitats. Watch a group and you'll see penguins waddling between the water and shore, preening their feathers, calling to one another, or suddenly diving into the water. Their movements change dramatically once they are swimming. Powerful flipper strokes propel them quickly, and they can leap clear of the surface in a series of fast porpoising jumps. At a zoo or aquarium, look for the bright white patches above the eyes and the orange-red bill, which make gentoos easy to recognize. Groups can also be fun to watch as birds respond to one another with calls and quick movements. In the wild, subantarctic gentoos live on islands and coastal areas around the southern oceans, where they feed on krill and small fish. Their strong swimming ability helps them spend much of their time at sea, while their sturdy legs make them capable of navigating rocky shorelines.

Subantarctic Gentoo Penguin

Where to see Subantarctic Gentoo Penguin

4 destinations across 4 states

4 destinations

ABQ BioPark Zoo

Albuquerque, NM

Detroit Zoo

Royal Oak, MI

Moody Gardens

Galveston, TX

Tennessee Aquarium

Chattanooga, TN

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