Standing 30 inches tall, the gentoo penguin lives in the southern circumpolar region on the perimeter of Antarctica and the outlying islands. This penguin prefers to stay close to shore where it dives into the icy water to eat krill, fish and squid. Its streamlined body and strong paddle feet enable the gentoo to swim around 20 m.p.h. to catch its meal.

These penguins can become a meal for leopard seals, sea lions and orcas when in the water. On land gentoo eggs and chicks are vulnerable to predation from birds including caracaras and skuas.

This penguin’s population is increasing in Antarctica, but plummeting of the outlying islands. (Photograph taken in the Antarctic Exhibit at Sea World, Orlando.)