Antarctic Fauna

PENGUINS

There are 17 recognized species, though some say 18, belonging to 6 different genera. Contrary to popular belief, only a small portion live on the Antarctic continent, and only 2 species actually breed there. The vast majority are scattered across the Southern Hemisphere. Let’s take a closer look at the different species.

GENUS APTENODYTES: LARGE PENGUINS

KING PENGUIN (Aptenodytes patagonicus)
Main features: Second largest in size. An excellent swimmer, it can dive deep and stay underwater for up to 10 minutes. Feeds mainly on small fish. It breeds on average twice every three years – a unique behavior among penguins or even birds. Due to the long breeding cycle, colony sites are almost always occupied. The estimated population is about 2.25 million pairs. There are two subspecies: patagonicus and halli.
Size: Height 85–95 cm; weight 9–17 kg.
Distribution: Primarily found in Subantarctic islands and lower Antarctic latitudes. Colonies are found on Macquarie, Falkland, South Georgia, South Sandwich, Prince Edward, Crozet, Kerguelen, and Heard Islands.

EMPEROR PENGUIN (Aptenodytes forsteri)
Main features: The largest and heaviest of all penguins. Can dive for 15–20 minutes on average to 50 m, with recorded depths of 250 m. Feeds on small fish and crustaceans. Begins its breeding cycle in autumn. The single egg is incubated by the male on his feet for 62–67 days during the harsh Antarctic winter. By spring thaw, chicks are able to feed independently. Estimated population: around 1 million individuals.
Size: Height 100–130 cm; weight 20–41 kg.
Distribution: Along the coasts of the Antarctic continent between 66° and 78° S. After breeding, they may migrate north up to the Antarctic Convergence.

 GENUS PYGOSCELIS: BRUSH-TAILED PENGUINS

GENTOO PENGUIN (Pygoscelis papua)
Main features: Third largest in size. Can dive to 100 m. Feeds on small fish in northern latitudes and crustaceans further south, staying close to land. Colonies are relatively small. Typically lays two eggs, incubated for about 35 days. Estimated population: around 300,000 pairs. Two subspecies: papua and ellsworthii.
Size: Height 75–90 cm; weight 4.5–8.5 kg.
Distribution: Antarctic Peninsula to 65° S, Macquarie, Falkland, South Georgia, South Sandwich, South Shetland, South Orkney, Prince Edward, Crozet, Kerguelen, and Heard Islands.

ADELIE PENGUIN (Pygoscelis adeliae)
Main features: Can dive to 175 m. Feeds mainly on crustaceans caught between 20 and 40 m. Lives mostly in Antarctica, so has a rapid reproductive cycle to make use of the brief, food-rich austral summer. Lays two eggs, incubated for 32–37 days. Estimated population: 2.4 million pairs.
Size: Height 70–71 cm; weight 3.8–8.2 kg.
Distribution: Antarctic coasts, South Sandwich, South Shetland, South Orkney, Bouvet, Balleny, Scott, and Peter I Islands.

CHINSTRAP PENGUIN (Pygoscelis antarctica)
Main features: Medium-sized, feeds on crustaceans and small fish near the surface. Arrives at colonies 3–4 weeks later than Adélie penguins but stays longer. Nests in dense colonies slightly elevated from the sea. Lays two whitish eggs, incubated for 31–39 days. Estimated population: 7.5 million pairs.
Size: Height 68–76 cm; weight 3.2–5.3 kg.
Distribution: Intermediate between Antarctic and Subantarctic ranges. Found mainly in the Scotia Sea: South Sandwich, South Shetland, South Orkney Islands, and Antarctic Peninsula (south of 65° S). Smaller colonies in South Georgia, Bouvet, Balleny, and Peter I Islands.

GENUS EUDYPTES: CRESTED PENGUINS

SOUTHERN ROCKHOPPER PENGUIN (Eudyptes chrysocome)
Main features: Smallest of the crested penguins. Feeds on krill, squid, octopus, and fish. Lays two bluish-green eggs, incubated for 32–38 days. Estimated population: 1.1 million pairs. Two subspecies: chrysocome and filholi. A third (moseleyi, or Northern Rockhopper Penguin) is sometimes considered a separate species, breeding on Tristan da Cunha, Gough, Amsterdam, and St. Paul Islands.
Size: Height 45–55 cm; weight 2.0–3.8 kg.
Distribution: Circumpolar, breeding on many Subantarctic islands in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans – Cape Horn, Falkland, Prince Edward, Marion, Crozet, Kerguelen, Heard, Macquarie, Auckland, Campbell, Bounty, and Antipodes Islands.

SNARES PENGUIN (Eudyptes robustus)
Main features: Medium-sized, black and white with a yellow crest. Feeds on krill, squid, and small fish. Lays two gray-blue eggs, incubated for 31–37 days. Estimated population: 25,000 pairs. Nests in forested colonies.
Size: Height 51–61 cm; weight 2.4–4.3 kg.
Distribution: Breeds only on the Snares Islands.

FIORDLAND PENGUIN (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus)
Main features: Medium-sized, black and white with a yellow crest. Feeds on krill, octopus, squid, and fish. Lays two dull white eggs, incubated for 30–36 days. Estimated population: 3,000 pairs, making it the rarest species. Nests in rainforests, rocky beaches, and sometimes sandy shores.
Size: Height 55–60 cm; weight 2.1–5.1 kg.
Distribution: Southern New Zealand and nearby islands.

ERECT-CRESTED PENGUIN (Eudyptes sclateri)
Main features: Medium-sized, black and white with a yellow crest. Feeds on krill, squid, and small fish. Lays bluish or greenish eggs, incubated for about 35 days. Estimated population: 80,000 pairs. Nests on cliffs or grassy beaches.
Size: Height 60–67 cm; weight 3.3–7.0 kg.
Distribution: Two large colonies make up about two-thirds of the population on the Bounty and Antipodes Islands.

MACARONI PENGUIN (Eudyptes chrysolophus)
Main features: Second largest crested penguin, black and white plumage with orange crest. Feeds on krill and small fish. Lays two white eggs, incubated for 33–37 days. Estimated population: 12 million pairs – the most abundant species. Nests on rocky or grassy ground, preferring areas with sparse vegetation.
Size: Height 71 cm; weight 3.1–6.6 kg.
Distribution: Found in southern Chile, South Georgia, Falkland, South Sandwich, South Orkney, South Shetland, Bouvet, Prince Edward, Marion, Crozet, Kerguelen, Heard Islands, and sometimes the outer Antarctic Peninsula.

ROYAL PENGUIN (Eudyptes schlegeli)
Main features: Large-sized, black and white with an orange crest. Feeds on octopus and fish. Lays two white eggs, incubated for 35 days. Estimated population: 800,000 pairs. Nests in massive colonies on exposed rocky terrain.
Size: Height 65–75 cm; weight 3.0–8.1 kg.
Distribution: Limited to Macquarie Island and nearby islets.

GENUS MEGADYPTES: YELLOW-EYED PENGUIN

YELLOW-EYED PENGUIN (Megadyptes antipodes)
Main features: Medium-sized, notable for its vivid yellow eyes. Feeds on fish and squid. Lays two bluish-white eggs, incubated for 39–51 days. Estimated population: 2,000 pairs. Nests in very small colonies or solitary pairs.
Size: Height 56–78 cm; weight 3.6–8.9 kg.
Distribution: Southern New Zealand, Stewart, Auckland, and Campbell Islands.

GENUS EUDYPTULA: LITTLE PENGUINS

LITTLE PENGUIN (Eudyptula minor)
Main features: Smallest of all penguins. Feeds mainly on schooling small fish, less commonly on crustaceans. Lays two white eggs, incubated for 33–39 days. Estimated population: 1 million individuals. Nests in small colonies or solitary pairs. There are 6 subspecies: chathamensis, iredalei, minor, novaehollandiae, variabilis, and albosignata – the last of which is sometimes considered a separate species.
Size: Height 40–45 cm; weight 0.5–2.1 kg.
Distribution: Southern New Zealand, southern Australia, Tasmania, and the Chatham Islands (depending on the subspecies).

GENUS SPHENISCUS: BANDED PENGUINS

AFRICAN PENGUIN (Spheniscus demersus)
Main features: Medium-sized. Feeds mainly on sardines, anchovies, and squid. Lays two white eggs, incubated for 36–41 days. Estimated population: 200,000 individuals. Nests in burrows on rocky, sparsely vegetated ground.
Size: Height 60–70 cm; weight 2.1–3.7 kg.
Distribution: Southern coast of Africa.

MAGELLANIC PENGUIN (Spheniscus magellanicus)
Main features: Medium-sized. Feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and squid. Lays two white eggs, incubated for 39–42 days. Estimated population: 1 million individuals. Nests in burrows up to two meters deep.
Size: Height 60–70 cm; weight 2.3–7.8 kg.
Distribution: Southern coast of South America and the Falkland Islands.

HUMBOLDT PENGUIN (Spheniscus humboldti)
Main features: Medium-sized. Feeds on small fish and crustaceans. Lays two white eggs, incubated for 40–42 days. Estimated population: 12,000 pairs. Nests in large colonies.
Size: Height 65–70 cm; weight 2.3–6.9 kg.
Distribution: Coasts of Peru and Chile.

GALAPAGOS PENGUIN (Spheniscus mendiculus)
Main features: Small-sized. Feeds on small fish and occasionally small crustaceans. The northernmost-living penguin. Lays two white eggs, incubated for 38–40 days. Estimated population: 1,000 pairs. Nests on rocky ground within 50 meters of the sea.
Size: Height 48–53 cm; weight 1.8–2.4 kg.
Distribution: Coasts of the Galapagos Islands.