Penguins are flightless seabirds that live solely in the southern hemisphere. Few species live in other areas like the north of the Equator; the species are found in the Galapagos penguin, but most inhabit in and around Antarctica. 

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Though they can’t fly, they are expert swimmers because of their webbed feet, rigid flippers, and smooth shape. They spent half of their year in water and half outside. They feed on krill, squid, and fish, which they prey on while swimming. This article will help you learn what their bodies are made of and what appearance they have.

What Penguins Look Like?

The penguin is one of the seabirds that exclusively reside below the Equator. Its size and weight range from 41 cm to 1.1m and 2.2 pounds to 90 pounds, respectively. Every penguin’s size and weight are determined by its species. The penguin’s body is fusiform and streamlined with a short neck, large head, and an elongated body. Its legs and feet are set far back, which gives it a human-like posture while standing. Moreover, its tail is short and wedge-shaped. 

Penguins are counter-shaded, which means they have a dark back surface and white ventral surface. When viewed from above, the dark backside mingles with the dark ocean depths. When viewed from below, the light ventral side fuses with the lighter sea surface, which protects penguins from predators who cannot see the contrast between the counter-shaded penguin and the environment. 

Unlike other birds who have wings, penguins have paddle-like flippers which help them to swim. Scale-like feathers cover the flippers. They propel themselves by flapping these flippers. Moreover, their bodies are covered with shiny feathers which are broad, short, and closely spaced. They have more feathers than many of the other birds having 100 feathers per square inch.