Quick answer
The emperor penguin is the tallest and heaviest penguin species, standing up to 1.2 m (4 ft). It is the only animal that breeds during the brutal Antarctic winter, where males incubate a single egg on their feet through months of darkness and temperatures below -40°C. Emperor penguins live around 20 years.
Key takeaway
The emperor penguin is the tallest and heaviest penguin species, standing up to 1.2 m (4 ft). It is the only animal that breeds during the brutal Antarctic winter, where males incubate a single egg on their feet through months of darkness and temperatures below -40°C. Emperor penguins live around 20 years.
Emperor Penguin overview
Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is an bird listed here as Near Threatened. Typical weight about 40 kg; lifespan around ~20 years.
Emperor Penguin ecology
Diet: Carnivore (fish, krill, squid). Habitat: Antarctic sea ice and surrounding ocean. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Emperor Penguins and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild emperor penguins are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Near Threatened. See the full Emperor Penguin profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Breeding in the cold
Emperor penguins are the only species that breeds during the Antarctic winter. After the female lays a single egg, she returns to the sea to feed while the male balances the egg on his feet under a flap of skin for about two months, fasting the entire time.
Surviving the freeze
To endure temperatures below -40°C and fierce winds, emperor penguins huddle together in dense groups, constantly rotating so each bird gets time in the warm center. This cooperative behavior is essential for survival and warmth.
Sources
Emperor Penguin FAQs
What are key facts about emperor penguins?
The emperor penguin is the tallest and heaviest penguin species, standing up to 1.2 m (4 ft). It is the only animal that breeds during the brutal Antarctic winter, where males incubate a single egg on their feet through months of darkness and temperatures below -40°C. Emperor penguins live around 20 years.
What is the scientific name of the emperor penguin?
Aptenodytes forsteri — used in research and conservation listings for emperor penguins.
What do emperor penguins eat?
Emperor Penguins eat fish, krill and squid, with seasonal and regional variation in Antarctic sea ice and surrounding ocean.
Where do emperor penguins live?
They are associated with Antarctic sea ice and surrounding ocean. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of emperor penguins?
Listed in our guides as Near Threatened. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.