They can be found on the coasts of South America, as well as tiny, rocky islands far out at sea. The northernmost species, the Galápagos penguin, lives near the equator on the Galápagos Islands. A colony of Adélie penguins that nests near Cape Royds, Antarctica is the southernmost species.
The Galápagos penguin is the sole equatorial species, living mainly in colonies of several hundred birds on two of the Galápagos Islands west of Ecuador in South America. Because the northernmost point of Fernandina Island lies just inside the northern hemisphere, it is possible for these penguins to make regular incursions into the north.
These species are not being directly related to the penguins of the Southern Hemisphere; the two species were quite similar. Both south and north hemisphere species had similar colored feathers, were flightless, both were aquatic and lived in a cold environment.
Why do Galapagos penguins live at the equator?
The Galapagos penguins are closely related to the other temperature penguins that live on the coasts of Africa, and South America and are more distantly related to the Antarctic penguins. These Galapagos species can survive at the equator because of the unique biogeography of the Galapagos Islands .
Where do penguins live?
In fact, only a few species of penguin live so far south. Several species are found in the temperate zone, and one species, the Galápagos penguin, lives near the equator . The largest living species is the emperor penguin ( Aptenodytes forsteri ): on average, adults are about 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) tall and weigh 35 kg (77 lb).
The Great Auk became native to the Northern Hemisphere and were found across the shores of Greenland, Canada, Northern Europe, and Iceland . These species are not being directly related to the penguins of the Southern Hemisphere; the two species were quite similar.
What is the habitat of a penguin?
Distribution and habitat . Although almost all penguin species are native to the Southern Hemisphere, they are not found only in cold climates, such as Antarctica. In fact, only a few species of penguin actually live so far south.
We Jump to navigation Jump to search. Penguins (order Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae) are a group of aquatic flightless birds. They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere, with only one species, the Galapagos penguin, found north of the equator.
What is a penguin classified as?
Penguins ( order Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae) are a group of aquatic flightless birds. They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere, with only one species, the Galapagos penguin, found north of the equator.