WHATSTHATFISH
Mammals & birds

Gentoo Penguin

Pygoscelis papua

Also known as: Long-tailed Gentoo Penguin

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2020
Adult
@epic · Sydney Aquarium, Australia · June 20171 / 1
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Overview

Gentoos reach a height of 51 to 90 cm (20 to 35 in), making them the third-largest species of penguin after the two giant species, the emperor penguin and the king penguin. Males have a maximum weight of about 8.5 kg (19 lb) just before molting, and a minimum weight of about 4.9 kg (11 lb) just before mating. For females, the maximum weight is 8.2 kg (18 lb) just before molting, but their weight drops to as little as 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) when guarding the chicks in the nest. Birds from the north are on average 700 g (1.5 lb) heavier and 10 cm (3.9 in) taller than the southern birds. Southern gentoo penguins reach 75–80 cm (30–31 in) in length. They are the fastest underwater swimming penguins, reaching speeds of 36 km/h (22 mph). Gentoos are adapted to very harsh cold climates.
Depth - Land-100m
Coldest parts of Antarctic, Southern Atlantic, Indo-Pacific

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How to identify

COLOURS

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific, Southwest Atlantic, Southeast Atlantic, Southern Ocean
  • Exact location · 1
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Adult photos 1

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Discussion

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    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classAves
    4. orderSphenisciformes
    5. familySpheniscidae
    6. genusPygoscelis
    7. speciesPygoscelis papua (Forster, 1781)

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia