If we had to choose one soul bird, we’d shoot for the ever-smart, ever-gorgeous raven. However, we also do understand that a majestical raven might not, in fact, be the most accurate representation. So, to stay real, our second-best choice would be a penguin. Yup, that waddly, squeaky, black-and-white master of the seas would be the most appropriate image of us. Funnily clumsy and always up for a snack, we bet some of you can relate to our choice, too! However, if you aren’t sure if a penguin is truly up for a soul bird role, keep on reading for some inherently cool penguin facts and learn more about their quirks and the stuff that makes them so relatable (and adorable!).
For instance, did you know that penguins are actually waterproof? That’s one of the traits that allow them to enjoy the waters of the freezing cold Antarctic sea! Or, were you aware that penguins, although clumsy on surfaces, are highly athletic swimmers and can dive to record depths? See, they aren’t just adorable; they are also very cool! But, to learn more, you’ll have to keep on reading the facts about penguins we’ve put in this article. After all, if we spill all of the coolest penguin trivia now, you’ll miss the chance to see all the adorable penguin photos that accompany the bird facts below. And if the fun facts about penguins don’t make your day, the painstakingly cute images sure will!
Right, so before we spill all the beans, let’s end this introduction and skip straight to the interesting facts about penguins. Once you are done reading these fun facts, be sure to rank them since now they are in no particular order. And lastly, share this article with your friends!
#1
Male penguins propose with pebbles. Many male penguins present rocks to female penguins as a form of courtship.
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28points
#2
Some penguin species are monogamous.
Gentoos, rockhoppers, and chinstraps mate for life. Within minutes of arriving at the colony each season, Adelie females can locate their former mates.
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26points
#3
Penguin chicks are incredibly fluffy.
A light down covers their first layer of feathers. They eventually develop a waterproof coating, but before that, they look rather adorable.
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26points
#4
Emperor penguins keep eggs warm by holding them on their feet.
They are kept warm by the male penguins inside a loose skin fold. They don't even leave to eat for months while waiting for the eggs to hatch!
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25points
#5
Very aptly named Little Blue Penguin is the smallest penguin species.
These tiny birds are also called little penguins or fairy penguins, and their miniature size of about 14 inches sure offers a stark comparison when put next to an emperor penguin's 4-foot-tall stature.
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24points
#6
Some extinct penguins were over 5 feet tall.
An ancient race of penguins once stood taller than the average adult man today at 5-foot-10, according to recently unearthed remains. 60 million years ago, Kumimanu biceae was at the height of its might and likely weighed 220 pounds. Pachydyptes, an extinct genus, was likewise likely to grow to a height of around 4 feet.
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23points
#7
Penguins are toothless.
Their mouths have fleshy spines that assist them in swallowing fish. The protrusions face backward to assist in guiding the catch down their throats.
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22points
#8
Chubby penguins are the most sought-after mates.
Due to the extreme fasting required, the females frequently look for chubbier men who can go weeks without food as the females alternate fishing turns.
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22points
#9
"Brooding" refers to keeping an eye on the young penguin chick. If their chick was lost or perished, some mother penguins would attempt to abduct young penguin chicks.
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22points
#10
Penguins are total crowd lovers.
When gathered on land, the greatest penguin colonies, known as rookeries or waddles, consist of tens of thousands of birds.
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21points
#11
Penguins are pros at "tobogganing."
Instead of waddling across the ice, many penguins lay on their stomachs and propel themselves with their feet. It's generally a quicker method of transportation, plus it's just simply enjoyable.
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21points
#12
Many birds restrict their egg production.
This occurs in a very peculiar way among crested penguins. With an interval of 6 days they lay two eggs. The first led egg is smaller than the second one—it is only half as big. Typically, only the second egg hatches. Even if both eggs hatch unexpectedly (as with the Fiordland penguin), only one baby will reach adulthood. The reason why is still a mystery.
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21points
#13
Penguins are adapted to drinking seawater.
Although penguins drink meltwater from streams and pools when thirsty, their hunting habits and nutrition require sophisticated adaptation. Salt is eliminated from the bloodstream by a supraorbital gland placed above the eye. The extra sodium is subsequently expelled through the nose or by sneezing!
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20points
#14
And also dive down over 800 feet.
In the deepest dive ever recorded by the Australian Antarctic Division, an emperor penguin reached an amazing 1,850 feet. Those huge depths require a great lung capacity; the longest-known dives have lasted 22 minutes!
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19points
#15
Penguins molt once a year.
During the two to three-week period, penguins lose all of their feathers, and until the crucial insulation grows back, they cannot swim or fish.
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19points
#17
Penguins are capable of swimming faster than ten miles per hour.
The fastest penguins, Gentoos, may move at speeds of up to 20 mph, although most species only go at 4 to 7 mph.
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17points
#18
Not all Penguins live in the Antarctic.
Living close to the equator allows the Galápagos penguin to remain comfortable and warm. In actuality, they are the only species of penguins that live outside of the Southern Hemisphere.
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17points
#19
When it comes to size, Emperor penguins are the largest specimens of the species.
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17points
#20
Scientists aren't sure how many penguin species there are, and although the count usually falls between 17 and 20, scientists disagree on whether some of them are species or just similar types of penguins.
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16points