# King Penguin (*Aptenodytes patagonicus*) The King Penguin is the second largest penguin. They have bright orange markings on their heads and are very social birds. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Sub-Antarctic islands - **Also known as:** Royal Penguin ![King Penguin](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425986/objects/4645.jpg) ## Appearance The King Penguin has a sleek, black back and a bright white belly. Its most striking features are the vibrant orange-yellow patches on its upper chest and either side of its head, contrasting with its slender black bill. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Sphenisciformes - **Family:** Spheniscidae - **Genus:** Aptenodytes ## Interesting facts - Baby King Penguins are fuzzy brown balls, looking very different from their parents! - King Penguins carry their single egg on their feet to keep it warm, not in a nest! - The entire breeding cycle, from egg to independent chick, can take over a year! - They are the second biggest penguin species, right after the mighty Emperor Penguin! ## Special abilities - **Deep Diver:** King Penguins can dive over 300 meters deep because of their dense bones, helping them reach prey far below the ocean surface. - **Underwater Rocket:** King Penguins have powerful flippers and a torpedo body that helps them 'fly' through water to chase down swift prey. - **Salt Filter:** King Penguins have special glands above their eyes that help filter salt from seawater, allowing them to drink ocean water. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 85-95 cm - **Weight:** 9-18 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 15 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1 - **Incubation:** 54 days ## Diet & Feeding King Penguins primarily eat small fish and squid, which they skillfully catch by diving deep in the ocean. - **Age differences:** Chicks are fed regurgitated, partially digested food by their parents. - **Primary Foods:** Lanternfish, Squid, Notothen fish - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Leopard Seal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-seal) (*Hydrurga leptonyx*) — Adults and chicks are hunted by this large, powerful seal. - **Eaten by:** [Orca](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orca) (*Orcinus orca*) — Orcas are apex predators of the Southern Ocean and hunt penguins. - **Eaten by:** Great Skua (*Stercorarius skua*) — Skaus prey on eggs and young chicks in their breeding colonies. - **Hunts:** Carlsberg's Lanternfish (*Electrona carlsbergi*) — A primary food source, caught during deep dives. - **Hunts:** Long-armed Squid (*Kondakovia longimana*) — This squid is a significant part of their varied ocean diet. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify King Penguin? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is King Penguin? 85-95 cm ### How much does King Penguin weigh? 9-18 kg ### How long does King Penguin live? 15-20 years ### How fast can King Penguin move? 15 km/h ### What does King Penguin eat? King Penguins primarily eat small fish and squid, which they skillfully catch by diving deep in the ocean. ### Where is King Penguin usually found? Sub-Antarctic islands ### How does King Penguin hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Detroit Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/detroit-zoo) — Michigan, US · Zoo - [ABQ BioPark Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abq-biopark-zoo) — New Mexico, US · Zoo - [Kansas City Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kansas-city-zoo) — Missouri, US · Zoo - [Tierpark Hellabrunn](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-hellabrunn) — Bavaria, DE · Zoo - [Loro Parque](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/loro-parque) — Canary Islands, ES · Zoo - [Saint Louis Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saint-louis-zoo) — Missouri, US · Zoo [View all places to see King Penguin](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/king-penguin) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [King Penguin: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/king-penguin)