Gentoo Penguin
Gentoo Penguin Facts
| Size | 30-35 inches (75-90 cm) |
| Speed | Up to 22 mph (36 km/h) (in the water) |
| Weight | 10-19 pounds (4.5-8.5 kg) |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years |
| Food | Fishes, Squid, Krill |
| Predators | Orcas, leopard seals, sharks, skuas |
| Habitat | Antarctic region, Falkland Isles, South Georgia, Southern Ocean |
| Order | Penguins |
| Family | Penguins |
| Scientific name | Pygoscelis papua |
| Characteristics | Fastest penguin; orange-colored bill and feet |
Main Characteristics
Among all birds, the gentoo penguins are the fastest swimmers. They reach speeds of up to 22 mph (36 km/h) underwater. These penguins are the third largest, following the Emperor and King penguins. Their most distinctive features include a white stripe above their eyes and their bright orange beaks and feet. They inhabit Antarctica, where they form large colonies.
Distribution and Habitat
Gentoo penguins inhabit the Antarctic Peninsula. They hunt for fish in the frigid sea and rarely spend much time on the pack ice. Their nests are constructed on rocky, snow-free ground.
Way of Life
Gentoo penguins are known for their peaceful nature. Not much is known about their lives outside of the breeding season. During the day, they are active and hunt for fish in the ocean, returning to land to sleep. They live in large colonies and are very social.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
The gentoo penguin is the third largest among the 18 species of penguins. They typically reach a height of 30-35 inches (75-90 cm) and weigh between 10-19 pounds (4,5-8.5 kg). Only the emperor penguin and the king penguin are larger.
Bill
The bill is a vibrant orange to reddish-orange color, while both the top and bottom sides are black.
Feet
Its feet are orange to pink, and the tips of its toes are always black.
Plumage
• Color
Gentoo penguins, like all penguin species, have a striking black and white plumage. However, they stand out from the rest due to a distinctive white stripe that starts above their eyes and runs over their heads. This feature is often referred to as a bonnet or turban.
• Feathers
Penguins are the fastest swimmers among all birds, thanks to their unique feathers. They can reach speeds of up to 22 mph (36 km/h). They can adjust their feathers intentionally, changing the angle at which the feathers stick out from their bodies. This helps minimizing drag and enhancing their swimming efficiency.
• Tail
Among all penguins, the gentoo penguin has the longest tail feathers. When it walks, it sweeps from side to side, resembling a dog wagging its tail. In the water, the tail assists with steering.
Diet
Gentoo penguins are carnivorous. They feed on small fish, squid, and krill. Each day, they spend around six to ten hours foraging for food.
Behavior
Sounds
Gentoo penguins are famous for their calls, which sound like a trumpet or a horn. Generally, they are quite peaceful and calm, but during the breeding season, they become quite noisy. Their trumpet-like cries mix with excited chattering, especially when a predator approaches, eyeing their eggs. When they engage in fights with each other, they also start to grunt. The chicks make very high-pitched peeps.
Senses and Abilities
Swimming
Gentoo penguins are great swimmers. They are very agile and can quickly change direction underwater.
Speed
The Gentoo penguin is not only the fastest penguin but also the fastest bird in the world when it comes to swimming underwater. It can swim at speeds of up to 36 km/h. However, when it's not running away from predators or hunting for food, it likes to take it easy and swim at a more relaxed pace of 6 km/h. For comparison, here are some of the fastest animals from other animal classes: the large leatherback turtle swims at a similar speed of 22 mph (35 km/h), the powerful orca can reach 40 mph (65 km/h), and the streamlined sailfish can swim as fast as 62 mph (100 km/h).
Diving
Gentoo penguins typically dive to depths of 65-330 feet (20-100 meters) while foraging for food. However, they can reach depths of over 688 feet (210 meters). Each day, they may dive as many as 450 times.
Life Expectancy
In the wild, gentoo penguins typically live for 13-15 years. The first year of their life is the toughest, with only about 30 to 50% making it through that critical period.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
The main threats to the gentoo penguins are found in the water: leopard seals, orcas, and sea lions. On land, predatory gulls and giant petrels hunt the chicks.
Human Impact
The biggest threat to the gentoo penguin is the rising pollution in the oceans and climate change. These factors are making their habitat smaller and less livable.
How Many Are Left?
Currently, the gentoo penguins aren't considered endangered. According to a 2019 estimate by the IUCN, there are still about 774,000 adult individuals.
Importance for the Ecosystem
Gentoo penguins play a dual role as both hunters and prey, making them a crucial link in the food chain.
Reproduction
Nest
• Location
Gentoo always nest on ice-free ground. They either create their nests along the coast or among protective clumps of grass further inland.
• Size
Their Nests have a diameter of 10 inches (25 cm) and a height of up to 8 inches (20 cm).
• Stones as Nest Building Material
Gentoo penguins are pretty unique because they don’t use twigs or branches to build their nests. Instead, they collect stones from around them and pile them up in a circle to form a nest that’s just the right size. While it may not sound very cozy at first, they make it much more comfortable by lining it with feathers and moss, providing a snug spot for their chicks to snuggle in.
• Dispute Over Stones
Penguins are very protective of the stones that are good for building nests. However, they often get into loud arguments about who owns which stone. This is especially true among the male penguins. They like to give pretty stones to female penguins to impress them and win their favor. This is part of their courtship ritual.
Eggs
After they mate, Gentoo penguins lay two eggs that weigh around 4.5 ounces (130 grams) each. Both the mother and father take turns keeping the eggs warm for about 34-36 days.
Chicks
When they are born, the chicks have gray and white feathers. They stay in the nest for the first 30 days after hatching. After about 80-100 days, their feathers are thick enough for them to jump into the icy water.
The Gentoo Penguin Is Related To:
- Adélie Penguin
- Chinstrap Penguin
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Albatross
- Blue Whale
- Giant Petrel
- Great Skua
- Humpback Whale
- Leopard Seal
- Orca
- Sea Lion
- Sperm Whale
Sources:
- „Maximum diving depth and diving patterns of the Gentoo penguin Pygoscelis papua at the Crozet Islands“ (https://www.researchgate.net)
