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Gentoo Penguin

Gentoo Penguin
Scientific Name

Pygoscelis papua

Body Length

70-95 cm

Body Weight

4.5-8.5 kg

Distribution
Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands including the Falkland Islands
Fun Facts

Fun Facts

  • Gentoo penguins are the fastest swimmers among all birds, with a speed of up to 36 km per hour.

  • Gentoo penguins build nests to hold their eggs. Males have to find the best site for a nest so as to attract females. After forming a couple, they start the construction with pebbles, vegetation and even moulted feathers. When one of them returns with a pebble, its mate will bow a few times to show acceptance. By picking from the surroundings or stealing from other nests, they may use more than 1,700 stones to build their home.

Threats & Conservation

IUCN Red List: Least Concern
IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Gentoo penguins are disturbed by human habitation, tourism and roads, which affects their breeding. Climate change causes excessive melting of glaciers and sea ice, which diminishes the gentoo penguins’ habitat. Currently, oil exploration is expanding around the Falklands as well, which also threatens them.

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