Penguins (order
Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae) are an order of
flightless birds living in the southern hemisphere. They
are not, contrary to popular belief, only found in cold
climates, such as Antarctica. Three species live in the
tropics; one lives as far north as the Galapagos Islands
and will occasionally cross the equator while feeding.
Actually, most penguins do not live in Antarctica, only
a few species do. The others live further north. Penguins
like to stay and move within large groups. Most penguins
live off krill, fish, squid, and other forms of sealife
that they catch while swimming underwater. They spend
half of their life time on land and half in the oceans.
The largest species is the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes
forsteri): adults average about 1.1 meters (3-4 feet)
tall and weigh 35 kilograms (75 lb) or more.
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