How penguins conquered the Southern Hemisphere

From the icy shores of Antarctica to the warm coasts of the Galápagos Islands, penguins have shown an exceptional ability

to breed in surprising places. Their secret? They are superbly acclimated to the marine cold—living, feeding, and breeding

near branching currents that flow out of the Southern Ocean. The 18 species are uniquely adapted to their particular habitat.

Maps: Matthew W. Chwastyk and Brad Scriber, NGM Staff. Art: Owen Davey.

Sources: Pablo Borboroglu, Global Penguin Society; Birdlife International; IUCN Red List

How penguins conquered the Southern Hemisphere

From the icy shores of Antarctica to the warm coasts of the Galápagos Islands,

penguins have shown an exceptional ability to breed in surprising places.

Their secret? They are superbly acclimated to the marine cold—living, feeding,

and breeding near branching currents that flow out of the Southern Ocean.

The 18 species are uniquely adapted to their particular habitat.

Maps: Matthew W. Chwastyk and Brad Scriber, NGM Staff. Art: Owen Davey.

Sources: Pablo Borboroglu, Global Penguin Society; Birdlife International; IUCN Red List

How penguins conquered

the Southern Hemisphere

From the icy shores of Antarctica to the

warm coasts of the Galápagos Islands,

penguins have shown an exceptional

ability to breed in surprising places.

Their secret? They are superbly

acclimated to the marine cold—living,

feeding, and breeding near branching

currents that flow out of the Southern

Ocean. The 18 species are uniquely

adapted to their particular habitat.

Maps: Matthew W. Chwastyk and

Brad Scriber, NGM Staff. Art: Owen Davey.

Sources: Pablo Borboroglu, Global

Penguin Society; Birdlife International;

IUCN Red List