Penguins - Wildlife of Antartica
When one thinks of Antarctic wildlife, penguins are often the first animals that come to mind. Indeed these graceful, yet comical; hardy yet elegant creatures are considered by many to be the signature species of the polar south. That is why we decided to create a separate section devoted to the many penguin species and their fascinating characteristics.
Early Antarctic explorers actually thought penguins were fish and classified them accordingly. In fact, as birds, they are superbly designed for their job, flying underwater with great skill. Their compact bodies have a breastbone that makes an excellent keel and they have massive paddle muscles to propel them at speeds up to 25 miles per hour. Read more