Last updated on July 7th, 2024
41. Penguins Possess only Two of the 5 Tastes
A study by the University of Michigan discovered that penguins can tell when their food is salty or sour but not if it is savory, bitter, or sweet. Two reasons may be responsible for this:
- Penguins swallow their food whole and may not need taste buds.
- Penguins may have lost their ability for these tastes because of the extreme cold in their habitat.
42. The All-time Tallest Penguin Species is Extinct
According to the fossils found in 2017 in New Zealand, the extinct Kumimanu fordycei penguin is the largest species of penguin in history. Fossil experts have estimated the size of this penguin to be 340lb (154kg). Penguins in this species were the tallest, standing at about 1.77m (5 feet) tall.
43. The Emperor Penguin is the Largest Living Penguin Species
Aptenodytes forsteri, commonly known as Emperor, is the largest living penguin species both in weight and height. Penguins of this species are a little over 4 feet (1.3m) tall and weigh approximately 99lb (45kg).
44. The little blue penguin is the smallest of the living penguins
The smallest of the living penguins have slate-blue feathers, hence they are called as the blue penguins or little blue penguins or fairy penguins. they hail from New Zealand and are known as Kororā in Māori (a language of native population of New Zealand). They are about 1.5 kg in weight and 12-13 inches tall. Their males tend to be slightly bigger than the females.
45. The Smallest Penguin is Forty Times Smaller than the Largest
While the Emperor can grow up to over 4ft and 99 pounds, the blue little penguin that grows to 12-13 inches and 3.3 pounds is forty times smaller. That is considerably a vast difference in their size and weight.
46. Penguins are Long-Living Birds
The average life expectancy of penguins is 15-20 years. Some species, like the Magellanic and Rockhopper, can live up to 30 years. The longest-living penguin in captivity was a Gentoo named Olde in Denmark. She died peacefully at the age of 43 from natural causes on June 17, 2023.
47. Penguins and Polar Bears Are Not Buddies
The idea that penguins and polar bears are dwellers in the same habitat is a camera trick shown in media. Polar bears and Penguins do not live together. The bear’s habitat is the northern hemisphere, while penguins live in the southern hemisphere or just above the equator.
48. Penguins are Known to Display Homosexual Behavior
Did you know same-sex couples are real among penguins? This is another of the weird facts about penguins. Penguin observers have recorded some male couples in mating rituals in zoos. What’s more, a study recorded a 28.3% same-sex courtship prevalence among 53 sampled King Penguins. The tendency is more common among male than female penguins.
49. Penguins Are Not Afraid of Humans
Many people are amazed at how close penguins can come to humans. The most common explanation is that they have no terrifying experiences of terrestrial predators and have no reason to fear.
50. Penguins Whose Chicks Die Young Kidnap Other Chicks
Although the reason is not fully understood, taking the chicks of other penguins is a common behavior among penguins who lose their young ones. Researchers suggest the behavior is due to the intensity of the nursing hormone Prolactin. It is the same hormone that leads mother penguins back to their chicks after food hunting. Unfortunately, the interest in a kidnapped chick is quickly lost by both parties, leading to its death from lack of care.
51. Penguin Colors have a Protective Function
Although they look amazing in their tuxedo feather patterns, their dark and white colors are also a protective disguise. On land, they blend with the surroundings when seen from above. In water, light camouflages their white belly, and their dark heads can not be seen from above.
52. All Penguin Species are Legally Protected by the Antarctica Treaty
In the 12 countries that are signatories of Antarctica Treaty, hunting penguins for their meat or collecting their eggs is illegal. That’s because Antarctica is a designated ‘natural reserve,’ and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty protects the flora and fauna in the Antarctica.