COSMOS MAGAZINE
It might come as a surprise to learn that only four of the world’s 18 penguin species actually live in Antarctica!
Here’s a closer look at Adélie penguins, the agile swimmers that call Antartica home.
Credit: Getty
Adélie Penguins
(Pygoscelis adeliae)
Adélies can swim up to 15 km/h and dive as deep as 180m while hunting for krill.
Credit: Getty
Antarctic Penguins:
Adélies
Antarctic Penguins:
Adélies
Adults are around 70cm tall and weigh in the 4-8kg range.
Chicks are left in creches at just three weeks old, heading to sea by 7-9 weeks. Many won’t return until they’re ready to breed at 3-5 years old.
Credit: Ian Connellan
Antarctic Penguins:
Adélies
French explorer Jules Dumont d’Urville named Adélies after his wife, Adéle, in 1840.
Credit: Getty/Grafissimo
Antarctic Penguins:
Adélies
Parents travel up to 120km offshore to gather food, staying at sea for days to feed their fast-growing chicks.
Antarctic Penguins:
Adélies
with Scenic Eclipse in 2025 & 2026