Species Spotlight: Emperor Penguin

Questions and Answers

Do penguins have wings?
Even though they are birds, penguins have flippers instead of wings. They cannot fly and on land they waddle walking upright—when snow conditions are right they will slide on their bellies.

How does penguins’ coloring camouflage them underwater?
The penguin’s distinctive coloring—black body with white belly—helps camouflage the bird in the water as it searches for meals of small shrimp, fish, crabs, and squid.

Do penguins mate for life?
Penguins are among the most monogamous birds.

Habitat

Emperor penguins live on the floating ice packs and islands of Antarctica.
Diet

They feed on a diet of crustaceans, small fish and squid.
Threats

Climate change and habitat loss pose the greatest risks to these remarkable birds.
Interesting Fact

Growing to four feet tall and known as the giant of the penguins, emperor penguins live on the floating ice packs and islands of Antarctica.