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King Penguin

King Penguin
Scientific Name

Aptenodytes patagonicus

Body Length

85-95 cm

Body Weight

9.3-17.3 kg

Distribution
Sub-Antarctic islands and the southern coasts of Argentina and Chile
Fun Facts

Fun Facts

  • Unlike many other penguins, king penguins do not build nests. Laying a single egg each time, the parents take turns to incubate and carry it around on their feet under their belly. Hatching takes about 55 days. The parents also take care of their baby in this way for 30 to 40 days after hatching.

  • King penguins are social birds that form colonies of tens of thousands. This protects juveniles under collective defense against predators. They also huddle together in extreme cold to conserve heat.

Threats & Conservation

IUCN Red List: Least Concern
IUCN Red List: Least Concern

King penguins are threatened by climate change. It shifts the distribution of their prey, which includes small fishes and squid, reducing food availability and costing them more time foraging in the ocean. Breeding success may decline as it becomes more difficult to provide nourishment to the chicks. Some scientists suggest that a temperature rise of as little as 0.26°C would reduce the survival rate of adult king penguins by almost 10%.

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Polar Adventure I Summit
Polar Adventure I Summit
Polar Adventure I Summit