A group of Antarctica's Gentoo penguins follow a well-worn path to their nesting area from the sea where they go to feed.
Penguins are birds, so they do have wings. However, the wing structures of penguins are evolved for swimming, rather than flying in the traditional sense. Penguins swim underwater at speeds of up to 15 to 25 miles per hour.
As adept swimmers, penguins spend a lot of time in the water. Some penguins spend up to 75 percent of their lives in the water. Like other birds, penguins do lay eggs and they raise their chicks on land.
All penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere.
Last updated: 01/20/23
Author: NOAA
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