Penguins are flightless seabirds that live predominantly in the southern hemisphere. They are found across the southern parts of South America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand as well as many islands in the southern oceans. There are currently 18 recognized penguin species, with most living in Antarctica or on islands near Antarctica. Only a few species live as far north as the equator.
Where are Penguins Found in South America?
There are 4 species of penguins that live along the coasts of South America:
- Humboldt Penguin – Found along the western coast of South America from Peru to Chile and offshore islands
- Magellanic Penguin – Found along the southern coasts of Chile and Argentina, including Tierra del Fuego
- Galapagos Penguin – Found only on the Galapagos Islands west of Ecuador
- Southern Rockhopper Penguin – Breeds on islands around southern South America including the Falkland Islands
The Humboldt and Magellanic penguins are the most numerous, with major breeding colonies along the Chilean coast. The Galapagos penguin is the rarest and is endangered due to its very small habitat range. Penguins in South America mainly live in coastal areas but occasionally come inland along rivers and streams.
Where are Penguins Found in Africa?
There are 2 species of penguins that live in Africa:
- African Penguin – Found along the southwestern coast of Africa from Namibia to South Africa
- Southern Rockhopper Penguin – Breeds on islands around southern Africa including Tristan da Cunha
The African penguin lives exclusively along the coast and islands of southwestern Africa. Major breeding colonies are found in South Africa and Namibia. The African penguin is endangered due to overfishing, pollution, and climate change affecting its food supply. The southern rockhopper penguin breeds on remote islands around southern Africa.
Where are Penguins Found in Australia and New Zealand?
There are 3 penguin species found in Australia and New Zealand:
- Little Penguin – Found along the southern coast of Australia from Sydney to Perth, including Tasmania
- Yellow-eyed Penguin – Found along the coasts of New Zealand’s South Island
- Fiordland Penguin – Found along the southwest coast of New Zealand’s South Island
The little penguin has the largest range and can be found on both mainland Australia and coastal islands including Phillip Island where there is a large tourist viewing colony. The yellow-eyed penguin and fiordland penguin are only found in New Zealand. Their breeding habitat is dense temperate rainforests near the ocean.
Where are Penguins Found on Islands in the Southern Ocean?
There are at least 9 species of penguins found on subantarctic islands in the southern oceans near Antarctica:
- King Penguin – Islands near Antarctica including South Georgia and Macquarie Island
- Emperor Penguin – Antarctic continent and nearby islands
- Adelie Penguin – Antarctic continent and nearby islands
- Chinstrap Penguin – Islands near Antarctica including South Sandwich Islands
- Gentoo Penguin – Islands near Antarctica including Falkland Islands
- Macaroni Penguin – Islands near Antarctica including South Georgia
- Southern Rockhopper Penguin – Islands near Antarctica including Prince Edward Islands
- Northern Rockhopper Penguin – Islands near Antarctica including Amsterdam Island
- Erect-crested Penguin – Bounty and Antipodes Islands south of New Zealand
Nearly all penguin species breed on islands in the southern oceans near Antarctica during the summer months. The largest concentrations of breeding penguins are found on islands off the Antarctic Peninsula. Penguins nest on both rocky and ice-free land areas along the coasts of these islands.
Summary of Main Penguin Locations
In summary, penguins are found in four main regions:
- Coasts of southwestern South America – 4 species
- Coast of southwestern Africa – 2 species
- Coasts of southern Australia and New Zealand – 3 species
- Islands near Antarctica – at least 9 species
Most penguin species are located in the southern hemisphere, with only the Galapagos penguin found north of the equator. Penguins live across continents and islands located from as far south as Antarctica to as far north as the Galapagos Islands along the equator.
World Map of Penguin Locations
Here is a map showing the general ranges of where different penguin species are found:
Image source: Wikipedia
This illustrates how most penguins live in the far southern hemisphere, especially on islands near Antarctica. Only a few species can be found on mainland South America, southern Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Detailed Locations by Penguin Species
Here is more detail on exactly where each penguin species is found across their breeding and non-breeding habitats:
Species | Locations |
---|---|
King Penguin | Islands near Antarctica – South Georgia, Falklands, Macquarie |
Emperor Penguin | Antarctic continent and nearby islands |
Adelie Penguin | Antarctic coast and Ross Sea region islands |
Chinstrap Penguin | Antarctic Peninsula, South Sandwich Islands |
Gentoo Penguin | Islands near Antarctica – Falklands, South Georgia |
Macaroni Penguin | Subantarctic islands – South Georgia, Crozet |
Southern Rockhopper | Islands near Antarctica and southern South America/Africa |
Northern Rockhopper | Amsterdam and St Paul Islands in Indian Ocean |
Erect-crested Penguin | Bounty and Antipodes Islands near New Zealand |
Fiordland Penguin | Southwest New Zealand coasts and Stewart Island |
Snares Penguin | Snares Islands off New Zealand |
Yellow-eyed Penguin | South Island of New Zealand |
Little Penguin | Southern coast of Australia and New Zealand |
African Penguin | Southwestern coast of Africa |
Galapagos Penguin | Galapagos Islands, Ecuador |
Humboldt Penguin | Western South America from Peru to Chile |
Magellanic Penguin | Southern South America coasts of Chile and Argentina |
This table summarizes the detailed breeding and non-breeding ranges of each penguin species worldwide.
Key Points
- Most penguins live in the southern hemisphere from the Galapagos Islands to Antarctica.
- The largest concentrations are found on islands near Antarctica.
- Only a few species live on the mainland coasts of southern South America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Each species has a unique range in specific regions and islands.
Climatic Factors Affecting Penguin Locations
Penguins are found almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere because they cannot withstand heat. They have evolved adaptations for cold climates and rely on cold Antarctic currents to provide habitat and food sources. Key climatic factors affecting their geographic distribution include:
- Cold temperatures – Penguins have special feathers and fat insulation to survive subzero environments.
- Access to cold currents – Penguins rely on nutrient-rich Antarctic currents flowing northward that support food chains.
- Ice-free land – Penguins must have ice and snow-free land to build nests and raise chicks.
- Proximity to nutrient upwelling – Penguins feed on schooling fish and krill that thrive in upwelled areas.
Their locations directly coincide with colder temperatures in the southern hemisphere as well as access to productive Antarctic and subantarctic marine ecosystems. The farther north, the less suitable habitat is available for penguins.
Unique Aspects of Galapagos Penguin Range
The one exception to penguins living exclusively in cold climates is the Galapagos penguin. This is the most northerly distributed penguin and the only species found north of the equator. The Galapagos penguin can survive here due to:
- Cool ocean currents from the Humboldt current flowing from Antarctica
- Shaded nesting areas in caves and lava tubes with temperatures up to 25°F cooler than exposed areas
- Behavioral adaptations like minimizing activity during the heat of mid-day
The Galapagos penguin is an outlier, demonstrating how some penguin species have managed to adapt and survive in marginally warmer environments. But in general, cold temperatures, ocean currents, upwelling, and ice-free land constitute the key habitat requirements.
Conclusion
Penguins are primarily found across the southern parts of the world surrounding Antarctica. Their geographic distribution closely matches access to cold waters and air temperatures. There are concentrations of different species across southern South America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and subantarctic islands. Only the Galapagos penguin has managed to establish a range just north of the equator. Understanding where penguins live provides key insights into their evolutionary adaptations to colder environments and how they rely on unique marine ecosystems.