Adelie Penguins Pygoscelis adeliae By Erica Fun Facts

Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) By Erica

Fun Facts • Adelie penguins are the smallest of the penguins living on Antarctica • They look like little men in tuxedos, with their black tail-coats and white shirt-fronts • They’re about 28 inches tall and weigh 8 or 9 lbs • These penguins were named after the wife of a French explorer from the 1830 s

It’s The Flying Penguin!

What they eat-and who eats them • Adelie penguins usually eat krill, tiny shrimp-like crustaceans, and silverfish • Adelies are visual feeders, by catching their prey in their mouths • Their main predators are the skua, leopard seal, the sea lion, and the killer whale

More Fun Facts • Adelie penguins are amazing swimmers • They can actually glide under the water, which makes it so hard for leopard seals to catch them while they’re swimming • They can swim up to 15 mph • They can’t really fly!!

Habits • Adelie penguins are a little lazy when it comes to walking down hills, or sides of mountains • Instead of walking, they slide down it on their stomachs (below) • Adults build their nests in the same place they were born and make them out of stones

Behavior • Adelies are very sociable, and that’s the reason why they are usually in large groups • Not only do they protect their own nests, but they also defend their colony • Sometimes they even steal stones from other nests, for fun

Some More Facts • Before each breeding season, the adults each get a white ring around their eye • Because of global warming, there is 30% less Adelies then there used to be many years ago • There are usually half a million in a colony, and there’s quite a few colonies in Antarctica • They aren’t endangered at all, because of the Antarctica Treaty

Where you can find them • You can find Adelies mainly on the south coast of Antartica • Or you can find them in the ocean, either swimming, or hunting for krill

The End