24/7 Wall St. reviewed research compiled by Penguins-World, an online resource that houses a wealth of information on the biological characteristics of all penguin species. Using Penguins-World data, we ranked some species by weight, from smallest to largest.
With the exception of the Galapagos penguin, all of the species inhabit coastlines and islands below the equator. The Galapagos penguin lives in a warmer environment in comparison with the other species, usually with temperatures between 59 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The Emperor penguin, on the other hand, lives in the most frigid habitat of all, withstanding temperatures of minus 40 to minus 76 degrees.
The Galapagos and Emperor penguins could not have a more different genetic makeup. The Galapagos penguin weighs a puny 4 to 6 pounds, whereas the Emperor’s weight is that of a prepubescent child, between 55 and 84 pounds. Not only is the Emperor penguin covered in a thick layer of waterproof feathers, but also it carries a glut of body fat that enables its body to tolerate the harsh climatic conditions.
Little Blue penguin
- Weight: 1.75-3 lbs.
- Height: 13-15 inches
- Habitat: New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania
- Life expectancy in wild: 6-20 years
- Threat level: Low
Galapagos penguin
- Weight: 3.75-5.75 lbs.
- Height: 19-21 inches
- Habitat: Galapagos Islands
- Life expectancy in wild: 9.5 years
- Threat level: Endangered
African penguin
- Weight: 5.25-9 lbs.
- Height: 24-27 inches
- Habitat: Namibia and South Africa
- Life expectancy in wild: 10-12 years
- Threat level: Endangered
Magellanic penguin
- Weight: 8.25-14.25 lbs.
- Height: 24-26 inches
- Habitat: Argentina and Chile
- Life expectancy in wild: 10 years
- Threat level: Near threatened
Royal penguin
- Weight: 9-18 lbs.
- Height: 25-27 inches
- Habitat: Macquarie, Bishop, and Clerk Islands in Australia
- Life expectancy in wild: 12 years
- Threat level: Near threatened
Yellow-Eyed penguin
- Weight: 9.54-18.75 lbs.
- Height: 24-29 inches
- Habitat: Campbell, Auckland, and Stewart Islands
- Life expectancy in wild: 9-10 years
- Threat level: Endangered