The penguin is a flightless bird that belongs to the penguin-like order, the penguin family (Spheniscidae).

The origin of the word "penguin" has 3 versions. The first suggests a combination of the Welsh words pen (head) and gwyn (white), which originally referred to the now-extinct great auk. Due to the similarity of the penguin with this bird, the definition was transferred to him. According to the second version, the name of the penguin was given by the English word pinwing, which means “hairpin wing”. The third version is the Latin adjective pinguis, meaning "thick".

Penguin - description, characteristics, structure

All penguins can swim and dive excellently, but they cannot fly at all. On land, the bird looks rather awkward due to the structural features of the body and limbs. The penguin has a streamlined body shape with highly developed musculature of the pectoral keel, which often makes up a quarter of the total mass. The body of the penguin is quite well-fed, slightly compressed from the sides and covered with feathers. Not too large head is on a mobile, flexible and rather short neck. The penguin's beak is strong and very sharp.

As a result of evolution and lifestyle, penguin wings have changed into elastic flippers: when swimming under water, they rotate in the shoulder joint according to the screw principle. The legs are short and thick, have 4 fingers connected by swimming membranes.

Unlike other birds, the penguin's legs are significantly extended back, which forces the bird to keep its body strictly upright while on land.

To maintain balance, the penguin is helped by a short tail, consisting of 16-20 hard feathers: if necessary, the bird simply leans on it, as if on a stand.

The skeleton of a penguin does not consist of hollow tubular bones, which is common for other birds: the bones of a penguin are more similar in structure to the bones of marine mammals. For optimal thermal insulation, the penguin has an impressive supply of fat with a layer of 2-3 centimeters.

The plumage of penguins is dense and dense: individual small and short feathers cover the body of a bird like a tile, protecting it from getting wet in cold water. The color of feathers in all species is almost identical - a dark (usually black) back and a white belly.

Once a year, the penguin molts: new feathers grow at different rates, pushing out the old feather, so the bird often has an untidy, ragged appearance during the molting period.

During molting, penguins are only on land, trying to hide from gusts of wind and eat absolutely nothing.

The sizes of penguins differ depending on the species: for example, the emperor penguin reaches 117-130 cm in length and weighs from 35 to 40 kg, while the little penguin has a body length of only 30-40 cm, while the weight of the penguin is 1 kg.

In search of food, penguins are able to spend a lot of time under water, plunging into its thickness by 3 meters and covering distances of 25-27 km. The speed of a penguin in the water can reach 7-10 km per hour. Some species dive to a depth of 120-130 meters.

During the period when penguins are not concerned with mating games and caring for their offspring, they move quite far from the coast, sailing into the sea at a distance of up to 1000 km.

On land, if it is necessary to move quickly, the penguin lies on its belly and, pushing off with its limbs, quickly slides over ice or snow.

With this method of movement, penguins develop a speed of 3 to 6 km / h.

The life expectancy of a penguin in nature is 15-25 years or more. In captivity, with ideal bird keeping, this figure sometimes increases to 30 years.

Enemies of penguins in nature

Unfortunately, the penguin has enemies in its natural habitat. they peck penguin eggs with pleasure, and helpless chicks are tasty prey for skua. Fur seals, killer whales, leopard seals and sea lions hunt penguins in the sea. They will not refuse to diversify their menu with a well-fed penguin and.

What do penguins eat?

Penguins eat fish, crustaceans, plankton and small cephalopods. The bird gladly eats krill, anchovies, Antarctic silverfish, small octopuses and squids. For one hunt, a penguin can make from 190 to 800-900 dives: it depends on the type of penguin, climatic conditions and food needs. The oral apparatus of the bird works on the principle of a pump: through its beak, it sucks in medium-sized prey along with water. On average, while feeding, birds swim about 27 kilometers and spend about 80 minutes a day at a depth of more than 3 meters.

The geographical distribution of these birds is quite extensive, but they prefer coolness. Penguins live in the cold zones of the Southern Hemisphere, mainly their concentrations are observed in the Antarctic and in the Subantarctic region. They also live in southern Australia and South Africa, are found almost along the entire coastline of South America - from the Falkland Islands to the territory of Peru, near the equator they live on the Galapagos Islands.

Classification of the Penguin family (Spheniscidae)

The order Penguin-like (Sphenisciformes) includes the only modern family - Penguins, or Penguins (Spheniscidae), in which 6 genera and 18 species are distinguished (according to the datazone.birdlife.org database dated November 2018).

Genus Aptenodytes J. F. Miller, 1778 - Emperor penguins

  • Aptenodytes forsteri R. Gray, 1844 – Emperor penguin
  • Aptenodytes patagonicus F. Miller, 1778 - King penguin

Genus Eudyptes Vieillot, 1816 - Crested penguins

  • Eudyptes chrysocome(J. R. Forster, 1781) - Crested penguin, rocky golden-haired penguin
  • Eudyptes chrysolophus(J. F. von Brandt, 1837) - Golden-haired penguin
  • Eudyptes moseleyi Mathews & Iredale, 1921 – Northern crested penguin
  • Eudyptes pachyrhynchus R. Gray, 1845 - Thick-billed or Victoria penguin
  • Eudyptes robustus Oliver, 1953 - Snare crested penguin
  • Eudyptes schlegeli Finsch, 1876 – Schlegel's penguin
  • Eudyptes sclateri Buller, 1888 - Great crested penguin

Genus Eudyptula Bonaparte, 1856 - Little penguins

  • Eudyptula minor(J. R. Forster, 1781) - Little penguin

Genus Megadyptes Milne-Edwards, 1880 - Magnificent penguins

  • Megadyptes antipodes(Hombron & Jacquinot, 1841) - Yellow-eyed penguin, or magnificent penguin

Genus Pygoscelis Wagler, 1832 - Antarctic penguins

  • Pygoscelis adeliae(Hombron & Jacquinot, 1841) - Adélie Penguin
  • Pygoscelis antarcticus(J. R. Forster, 1781) - Antarctic penguin
  • Pygoscelis papua(J. R. Forster 1781) - gentoo penguin

Genus Spheniscus Brisson, 1760 - Spectacled penguins

  • Spheniscus demersus(Linnaeus, 1758) - Spectacled penguin
  • Spheniscus humboldti Meyen, 1834 - Humboldt penguin
  • Spheniscus magellanicus(J. R. Forster, 1781) - Magellanic penguin
  • spheniscus mendiculus Sundevall, 1871 - Galapagos penguin

Types of penguins, photos and names

The modern classification of penguins includes 6 genera and 19 species. Below are descriptions of several varieties:

  • emperor penguin ( Aptenodytes forsteri)

this is the largest and heaviest penguin: the weight of the male reaches 40 kg with a body length of 117-130 cm, the females are somewhat smaller - with a height of 113-115 cm, they weigh an average of 32 kg. The plumage on the back of the birds is black, the belly is white, in the neck area there are characteristic spots of orange or bright yellow. Emperor penguins live on the coast of Antarctica.

  • king penguin ( Aptenodytes patagonicus)

very similar to the emperor penguin, but differs from it in a more modest size and feather color. The size of the king penguin varies from 90 to 100 cm. The weight of the penguin is 9.3-18 kg. In adults, the back is dark gray, sometimes almost black, the abdomen is white, there are bright orange spots on the sides of the dark head and in the chest area. The habitats of this bird are the South Sandwich Islands, the islands of Tierra del Fuego, Crozet, Kerguelen, South Georgia, Macquarie, Heard, Prince Edward, the coastal waters of the Lusitania Bay.

  • Adelie Penguin ( Pygoscelis adeliae)

medium sized bird. The length of the penguin is 65-75 cm, weight - about 6 kg. The back is black, the belly is white, a distinctive feature is a white ring around the eyes. Adélie penguins live in Antarctica and on the island territories adjacent to it: the Orkney and South Shetland Islands.

  • Northern crested penguin ( Eudyptes moseleyi)

endangered species. The length of the bird is approximately 55 cm, the average weight is about 3 kg. The eyes are red, the abdomen is white, the wings and back are gray-black. Yellow eyebrows smoothly merge into tufts of yellow feathers located on the side of the eyes. Black feathers stick out on the penguin's head. This species differs from the southern crested penguin (lat. Eudyptes chrysocome) in shorter feathers and narrower eyebrows. The main part of the population lives on the islands of Gough, Inaccessible and Tristan da Cunha, located in the southern Atlantic Ocean.

  • Golden-haired penguin (golden-haired penguin) ( Eudyptes chrysolophus)

has a color typical of all penguins, but differs in one feature in appearance: this penguin has a spectacular bunch of golden feathers above the eyes. The body length varies between 64-76 cm, the maximum weight is a little over 5 kg. Golden-haired penguins live along the southern shores of the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic, are slightly less common in the northern part of Antarctica and Tierra del Fuego, and nest on other islands of the Subantarctic.

  • gentoo penguin ( Pygoscelis papua)

the largest penguin in size after the emperor and king. The length of the bird reaches 70-90 cm, the weight of the penguin is from 7.5 to 9 kg. The black back and white belly are a typical color of birds of this species, the beak and paws are painted in an orange-red hue. The habitat of penguins is limited to Antarctica and the islands of the Subantarctic zone (Prince Edward Island, South Sandwich and Falkland Islands, Heard Island, Kerguelen, South Georgia, South Orkney Islands).

  • Magellanic Penguin ( Spheniscus magellanicus)

has a body length of 70-80 cm and a weight of about 5-6 kg. The plumage color is typical for all penguin species, a feature is 1 or 2 black stripes in the neck. Magellanic penguins nest on the Patagonian coast, on the islands of Juan Fernandez and the Falklands, small groups live in southern Peru and in Rio de Janeiro.

  • Pygoscelis antarctica)

reaches a height of 60-70 cm and weighs no more than 4.5 kg. The back and head are painted dark gray, the belly of the penguin is white. A black stripe runs across the head. Antarctic penguins live on the coast of Antarctica and the islands adjacent to the continent. They are also found on icebergs in Antarctica and the Falkland Islands.

  • spectacled penguin, he is donkey penguin, black-footed penguin or African penguin ( Spheniscus demersus)

reaches a length of 65-70 centimeters and weighs from 3 to 5 kg. A distinctive feature of the bird is a narrow strip of black color, curving in the shape of a horseshoe and passing along the belly - from the chest to the paws. Spectacled penguin lives on the coast of Namibia and South Africa, nests along the coastline of islands with a cold Bengal current.

  • little penguin ( Eudyptula minor)

the smallest penguin in the world: the bird has a height of 30-40 cm and a weight of about 1 kg. The back of the little penguin is colored blue-black or dark gray, the chest area and the upper part of the legs are white or light gray. Penguins live on the coast of South Australia, in Tasmania, New Zealand and on the adjacent islands - Stewart and Chatham.

When it comes to penguins - these flightless seabirds - the imagination usually draws the white expanses of Antarctica and the icy waters of the ocean. However, the continent at the south pole is not the only habitat for these pretty birds. About eighteen species settled in different parts of the southern hemisphere of the planet. The most famous among them is the imperial - the largest in the family.

It grows up to 110-120 cm. The smallest is the little penguin. Compared to the imperial one, it is just a dwarf with a height of 30-45 cm. In prehistoric times, there were about 40 more species that are now extinct.

To meet waterfowl black and white birds, it is not necessary to go on a polar expedition. Check yourself if you know where penguins live and what they are like, why they are not afraid of polar bears and who is the main enemy of flightless birds.

In Antarctica and nearby islands live emperor penguin and Adele. The ocean is like a dining room. Although these birds are excellent swimmers, feeding on fish and crustaceans in coastal waters, they do not swim far. Being social creatures, they sometimes gather in huge colonies, some of which number about tens of thousands of individuals. In a large group it is easier to survive and raise offspring.

Home for penguins, except for Antarctica, are:

  • New Zealand;
  • Australia (south);
  • South America (west coast);
  • southern Africa;
  • Galapagos Islands, located, by the way, closer to the equator.

It is unlikely that you will ever get to Kerguelen, Macquarie, Heard, or the South Sandwich Islands to see king penguin. The most accessible place for observation is the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. There you will meet golden-domed and magellanic penguins.

Falkland Islands - Territory gentoo penguin.

Galapagos is the northernmost point of the range, where the species of the same name lives.

Once in Tasmania or on the South American coast, you can meet crested penguin. It also lives on the islands of the Subantarctic. The species got its name due to the bright yellow feathers resembling bushy eyebrows. This feature distinguishes it from other members of the family.

South Australia and New Zealand are suitable for observing little penguin. In addition to him, you can also meet him in the area. white-winged relative. South New Zealand sheltered Victoria penguin.

Africa is traditionally associated with deserts and heat. However, from the south, it is bent around by the cold Bengal current, thanks to which spectacled penguins. They are also called donkey because of the characteristic cry, black-footed or African.

When wondering where penguins live, people often confuse the names of the regions. Without hesitation, they say that these birds live in the Arktitka. However, the area mentioned is adjacent to the North Pole and includes the coastal zone of North America, Eurasia, and the waters of the Arctic Ocean. If you suddenly become interested in ornithology and decide to watch amazing birds in nature, do not look for them in the Arctic!

Some people are easily confused by the question of whether polar bears eat penguins. The answer is simple - no. Polar bears live in the Arctic; they are common at the opposite pole of the Earth. The polar bear and the emperor penguin have never met in the wild and are unaware of each other's existence. The natural enemies of black-and-white birds in Antarctica and other regions are leopard seals, lions and seals, killer whales and sharks that lie in wait for prey in the ocean depths. On land, the brown skua and some gulls pose the greatest danger to pups. But polar bears hunt marine animals - seals, walruses, sea hares in their Arctic.

After the release of the cartoon "Penguins of Madagascar", users began to wonder if cold-loving birds really live on this island? There are no penguins in Madagascar, located east of the African continent. They were sent there by the imagination of DreamWorks animators, and even then as adventurers, not natives.

In the Soviet-Japanese cartoon "The Adventures of Lolo the Penguin", which takes place in Antarctica, the characters meet king penguins. However, you already know that only the emperor penguin and Adelie live there.

Extinction Threat

It is typical for a person to first thoughtlessly destroy, and then try to save the rest. Once upon a time, penguins were massively killed for the sake of subcutaneous fat, eggs were collected. Now, although the hunt has ceased, new dangers have arisen. Due to human activity, where penguins live, the habitat of these amazing birds is being reduced, and the balance of the ecosystem is disturbed. Feathered fish hunters have to compete with fishing boats. Penguins suffer from oil spills. As a result of the negative influence of civilization, three species (crested, magnificent, Galapagos) were recognized as endangered at the beginning of our century. Seven more species are believed to be endangered. Only the inhabitants of Antarctica, as well as the royal, are out of danger. Their numbers have even increased due to the reduction in the population of baleen whales due to active hunting for them.

In the northern hemisphere, penguins can only be seen in the zoo, and only here do polar bears become their neighbors. In captivity, the birds create the appropriate conditions for life. On the one hand, due to the absence of natural enemies, they are able to live to their maximum age. On the other hand, zoos carry a different kind of danger - a fungal infection that affects the respiratory system. To protect the penguins from this scourge, they are kept behind glass. Only with careful observance of all the conditions of detention, which only professionals can provide, can a penguin's long life in captivity be guaranteed.

A poem to remember

If, after reading everything, you still cannot remember where polar bears live and where penguins live, read this short rhyme:

This is the continent of Antarctica.

There are two types of penguins here.

The largest is the imperial

He hunts fish expertly.

Others, smaller - Adele,

What black tailcoats put on.

But if you are very brave,

White bears dream of you -

Then you are in the north, in the Arctic,

Get to know them in practice.

Remember - polar bears and penguins live in opposite hemispheres of the Earth!

Video about where penguins live

general characteristics

The largest of the modern representatives is the emperor penguin (height - 110-120 cm, weight up to 46 kg), the smallest are representatives of the species Eudyptula minor- small penguin (height 30-40 cm, weight 1-2.5 kg). Such significant differences are explained by Bergmann's rule, of which penguins are a frequent example. Bergmann's rule states that animals living in cold regions have large body sizes, since this contributes to a more rational ratio of the volume and surface of the animal's body and, thereby, to a decrease in heat loss.

Emperor penguins in Antarctica

body structure

From all other birds, penguins are distinguished by a very special body structure. The body shape of the penguins is streamlined, which is ideal for movement in the water. The forelimbs of penguins are nothing more than flippers. The musculature and structure of the bones allows them to work underwater with their wings almost like screws. Unlike other flightless birds, penguins have a sternum with a distinct keel, to which powerful muscles are attached. Swimming under water differs from flying in the air in that the same energy is expended on raising the wing as on lowering, since water resistance is greater than air resistance, therefore penguin blades have a large surface in comparison with other birds, on which muscles are attached, responsible for lifting the wing. The humerus and forearm bone are connected at the elbow straight and motionless, which increases the stability of the wing. The pectoral muscles are unusually developed and sometimes account for up to 30% of body weight, which is several times greater than the muscles of the most powerful flying birds. The femurs are very short, the knee joint is immobile, and the legs are noticeably set back, which is the reason for the unusually upright gait. Large feet with a swimming membrane are relatively short - being on land, animals often rest, standing on their heels, while the rigid tail unit serves as additional support for them. The tail of penguins is greatly shortened, since the steering function, which it usually has in other waterfowl, is performed primarily by the legs in penguins. The second clear difference between penguins and other birds is bone density. All birds have tubular bones, which makes their skeleton lighter and allows them to fly or run fast. But in penguins, they are similar to the bones of mammals (dolphins and seals) and do not contain internal cavities.

thermoregulation

Within their habitat, penguins are exposed to extreme climatic conditions and have different anatomical features that allow them to adapt to these conditions. For thermal insulation, first of all, a thick layer of fat - from 2 to 3 cm - is used, above which there are three layers of waterproof, short, tight-fitting feathers evenly distributed throughout the body. Apteria - areas of skin devoid of feathers are absent in penguins, unlike almost all other birds; the exception is some tropical species, which have apteria on the front of the head. The air in the layers of feathers also effectively protects against heat loss while in the water. Also, penguins have a well-developed "heat transfer system" in the fins and legs: the arterial blood entering them gives off heat to the colder venous blood flowing back to the body, thus heat loss is minimized. This process is called the "reverse flow principle". On the other hand, tropical penguin species have to contend with overheating. Their fins in relation to the size of the body have a large area, so the surface from which heat transfer occurs is increased. In some species, in addition to this, there is also no plumage on the front, which accelerates the process of heat transfer in the shade.

Plumage

Numerous small, undifferentiated, rather hair-like feathers that make up the plumage, in almost all species of penguins, have a grayish-blue, turning into a black tint on the back, and white on the stomach. This coloration is camouflage for many marine animals (eg dolphins). Males and females are very similar, although males are slightly larger. Most crested penguins (Eudyptes) have a very noticeable orange-yellow decoration on their heads. The plumage of cubs is often gray or brown, but in some species the sides and belly are white. At the end of incubation of eggs and rearing of chicks, molting begins in penguins - a change in plumage. During molting, penguins shed a large number of feathers at the same time and during this time they are not able to swim in the water and remain without food until new feathers grow. New feathers grow under the old ones and seem to push them out. During this period, lasting from two to six weeks in different species, birds use their fat reserves twice as fast. Antarctic penguins (Pygoscelis papua) and Galapagos penguins (Spheniscus mendiculus) do not have a distinct molting period, in these species it can begin at any time between brooding. In birds that do not hatch chicks, molting almost always begins earlier than the rest.

Vision and hearing

The eyes of penguins are perfectly adapted to the conditions of swimming under water; the cornea of ​​their eyes is very flat, as a result of which on land the birds are a little short-sighted. Another means of adaptation is the contractility and extensibility of the pupil, which is especially pronounced in emperor penguins diving to great depths. Due to this feature, the eyes of penguins very quickly adapt to changing light conditions in water at a depth of up to 100 m. An analysis of the pigment composition allows us to conclude that penguins see in the blue part of the spectrum better than in the red, and probably even perceive ultraviolet rays. Since light in the red part of the spectrum is scattered already in the upper layers of the water, this feature of vision is likely the result of evolutionary adaptation. The ears of penguins, like those of most birds, do not have a clear external structure. When diving, they are tightly closed with special feathers, so that water does not penetrate into the ear. Emperor penguins also have an enlarged rim of the outer ear so that it can close, thereby protecting the middle and inner ear from the pressure damage that diving to great depths can cause. Under water, penguins make almost no sounds, and on land they communicate through screams that resemble the sounds of a pipe and rattle. It has not yet been established whether they use their hearing to track prey and locate their natural enemies.

Nutrition

Penguins feed on fish - Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarcticum), anchovies (Engraulidae) or sardines (in Clupeidae), as well as crabs such as krill, or small cephalopods, which they prey on by swallowing directly underwater. If different species share the same habitat, their diet tends to be different: Adélie penguins and chinstrap penguins prefer krill of different sizes.

Movement

The average speed that penguins develop in the water is from five to ten kilometers per hour, but higher rates are possible over short distances. The fastest way to get around is "dolphin swimming"; while the animal jumps out of the water for a short time, like a dolphin. The reasons for this behavior are not clear: it probably helps to reduce the resistance of the current, or is intended to confuse natural enemies.

In diving, some penguins break records: smaller species such as the sub-antarctic penguin (Pygoscelis papua) can stay underwater for one or (rarely) more than two minutes and dive to a depth of 20 meters, but emperor penguins are able to stay underwater for 18 minutes and dive to over 530 meters. Although it is precisely the superpowers of Emperor penguins that remain little understood to this day, it is known, however, that when diving, the animal's pulse is reduced to one-fifth of the heart rate at rest; thus, oxygen consumption is reduced, which allows you to increase the duration of being under water with the same volume of air in the lungs. The mechanism for regulating pressure and body temperature during diving to great depths remains unknown.

When out of the water, penguins can jump up to 1.80 m from the coastline. Due to their relatively short legs on land, penguins move from side to side, a method of movement that biomechanics studies have shown to save a lot of energy. On the ice, penguins can also move quickly - they move down from the mountains, lying on their stomachs. Some species cover so many kilometers between the sea and the place where their colony settled.

Habitat

Penguins live in the high seas of the Southern Hemisphere: in the coastal waters of Antarctica, in New Zealand, southern Australia, South Africa, along the entire western coast of South America from the Falkland Islands to Peru, and also on the Galapagos Islands near the Equator. Penguins prefer coolness, therefore, in tropical latitudes, they appear only with cold currents - the Humboldt Current on the western coast of South America or the Benguela Current that occurs at the Cape of Good Hope and washes the western coast of South Africa.

Most species live between 45° and 60° south latitude; the largest concentration of individuals is in Antarctica and on the islands adjacent to it.

The northernmost habitat for penguins is the Galápagos Islands, located near the equator.

reproduction

Penguins in folklore

  • There is a joke among Russian fans of Formula 1 pilot Kimi Raikkonen that during his years with the McLaren team, penguins (unexpectedly jumping onto the track or sitting in the car) were the cause of technical breakdowns and piloting errors.
  • There is another joke: Penguin and we are swallows, only very fat».

Links

  • Penguin.su A selection of articles and photos about penguins, interesting facts
  • Portal where penguins live Everything about penguins and even more. News, information, photos, postcards, games, etc.

Literature

  • Beychek V., Stasny K. Birds. Illustrated encyclopedia. - M.: Labyrinth-press, 2004.
  • Life of animals. T.6 Birds. - M.: Enlightenment, 1986.

Notes


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010 .

See what "Penguins" are in other dictionaries:

    - (penguins, Speniscidae), the only family of the only order of penguin-like (Sphenisciformes) of the superorder of swimming birds; includes six genera and 16 17 species. Penguins vary in size. The largest emperor penguin (weighing 35 ... encyclopedic Dictionary

    Squad of floating birds. The wings are like flippers. Length from 40 cm (Galapagos penguin) to 1.2 m (emperor penguin), weigh from 3 to 42 kg. 17 species, mainly in Antarctica and in the temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere. They live on the coasts… Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Guess the riddle: swims, but does not fly, but who is called a bird? Guessed? Of course - penguin. Our wonderful planet is inhabited by about 20 kinds these beauties. Water- the true element of the penguin. I think these birds are very attractive. Look at their names: Royal, Imperial, Golden-domed, White-winged, they have something, I would say, majestic. I think they are very wonderful and funny, like children.

Penguin psychology very entertaining, they fear how they do not like to be alone, just like people. Always striving to be together, going to big companies. You can't help but admire them.

Penguin habitats

Probably not only I thought that penguins can only live in cold climate and their house is harsh Antarctica. But no. It turns out that these birds have mastered almost all the earth's continents. You can meet these beautiful animals:

  • v TAsmania, on the coast of South America, namely Crested representatives of the species;
  • on the Sanary Islands Big penguins live;
  • on the Oislands Stewart and Solander, on the south coast New Zealand thick-billed penguins are in charge;
  • Campbell Archipelago introduce you to the Magnificent Penguin;
  • South Atlantic sheltered the Golden-domed representative of sea birds;
  • v Namibia and South Africa found comfortable housing for themselves Spectacled penguins;
  • Tierra del Fuego, Chile, Rio de Janeiro, South America introduce you to Magellanic penguins
  • and, of course, in Antarctica you can watch emperor penguins and adélie penguins.

Family psychologists or why you need to know where penguins live

If someone else mistakenly thinks that penguins live in the north, then I hasten to upset you - they live only insouthern hemisphere our planet. Do you know why we should know who penguins are and where they live? So I will answer: the penguin is not just a noble bird, it is also excellent family man.


If you want to learn something about quality relationships, then you should definitely learn from them. Penguins love to get together with their families and have fun. They talk to each other a lot live in groups and take care of each other. sea ​​birds- wonderful parents, they are not alien sense of responsibility. They kiss their cubs, which indicates the ability to show warm feelings. purposefulness- the second name of the penguin, he will never deviate from his plan. Male penguins are always ready to stand up for their wife and children, they know how to withstand dangers. In conclusion, I will say that I personally admire these birds. Their appearance and psychological qualities. I will say to myself that I would love to go to the place where penguins live in order to get to know them better.

Look at this beautiful fluffy miracle!!!

Most of us recognize this charming fluffy cub of an amazing and unusual bird - a penguin.

What is so unusual about this species?

Firstly, penguins are unique in that they are called birds, but they cannot fly, but they swim very well.

Secondly, they are upright birds.

For the first time, these inhabitants of planet Earth were discovered by travelers led by Vasco da Gama. They noted that these birds they met were like geese, making sounds like the cries of donkeys. Somewhat later, this similarity of fat creatures with geese was confirmed by one of the members of the Magellan expedition.

The name of the penguins goes back to the Latin root of the word "pigvis", which translates as "fat". It was the excessive fullness of these flightless birds that became the reason for their "name" - penguins.

The scientific term for this type of animal appeared thanks to the famous scientist Carl Linnaeus, who noted their resemblance to a small wedge placed in water. In this small but capacious definition, the naturalist was able to emphasize both the habitual way of existence of birds and their shape.

Dense torso, clumsy gait, slow measured tread - this is how a bird named “penguin” looks like to this day.

If the penguin needs to show speed and urgently get somewhere, a plump belly will come to his aid, which will be used as an excellent high-speed vehicle.

Uncertainty on land of non-flying creatures is compensated by excellent swimming qualities. The ocean is familiar and familiar to penguins; in the water element, birds can descend to a depth of one hundred and thirty meters, lingering under water for a long 18 minutes. The speed of movement in water can reach 35-50 kilometers per hour! This is possible due to the structure of their wings in the image and likeness of fish fins. Two meters above the water level can be overcome by adults in a jump!

Swimming, as an easy way for penguins to get around, is not the only reason for their long stays offshore. In the water, these large birds are saved from hypothermia. When the temperature of the air space reaches 50-60 ° C below zero, the water thermometer may show zero.

The distribution area of ​​​​this species of animals is quite wide - Australia, South America, Asia, the Galapagos Islands - although in the view of the majority of the inhabitants of the Earth, penguins live only in Antarctica. In total, there are 18 species of these charming animals on the globe, all of them are grouped into 6 genera.

The structure of the beak, mouth and inside of the oral cavity allows these creatures to easily hold even the most slippery fish, which is the main dish in their diet. In addition to fish, penguins love to eat cuttlefish, crayfish, and some other aquatic inhabitants. Sea water is the only drinking component that penguins consume, the excess part of the salt exits the body through special supraocular glands.

More than ten thousand pairs can be counted by penguin colonial settlements. In the family of these individuals, equality reigns in the matter of hatching eggs and feeding the chicks, the duties of both parents are performed in turn.

Wedding courtship of males can be heard from afar, sounds similar to the voice of a trumpet are heard in the vicinity during this period. The age of readiness for mating in different species of penguins can be different - from two to eight years.

Male penguins are very caring and attentive. Finding a place to incubate eggs, “serving” for carrying future chicks in the shell, getting food, feeding hatched babies - these are some of the duties that male individuals do an excellent job of.

Brief information about penguins