Penguins are exceptional members of the animal kingdom.

Even though they are birds with feathers and wings, they are flightless and swim through the sea to catch food. Their wings act more like flippers so they seem to fly underwater.

 

While on the icy land, it’s easier for them to slide on their bellies. The motion is called tobogganing.   Do you like sliding on your belly? Maybe down a playground slide or using a snow sled to go downhill?

There are 17 Penguin species. All but one species lives in the Southern Hemisphere. Penguins can be found in Antarctica, New Zealand, southern Africa, and South America. Do you think that Polar Bears and Penguins are neighbors?  Why or why not?

In Antarctica, there are seven Penguin species: Adélie, Chinstrap, Emperor, Gentoo, King, Macaroni, and Rockhopper. They come in different sizes and live in a variety of places on the continent and nearby islands.

Penguins have existed for millions of years on Earth! Fossils have been found that range from 36-62 million years old.  Just like living penguins today, these extinct penguins were various sizes as well.

One fossil, Palaeeudyptes Klekowskii, would have towered over most humans because it was close to 7 feet tall.

 

How tall are you? Compare your height to that of an Adélie or Emperor Penguin.  Whose taller? By how much?

Once you know how your height compares to a particular penguin (Chinstrap or even the Palaeeudyptes Klekowskii!), draw you and the penguin to scale on a piece of colorful paper. This website helps you to draw a goofy penguin!