Aptenodytes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aptenodytes Temporal range: Pliocene to recent
Emperor penguins swimming
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Sphenisciformes
Family:	Spheniscidae
Genus:	Aptenodytes Miller, JF, 1778
Type species
Aptenodytes patagonicus
Aptenodytes patagonicus patagonicus      Aptenodytes patagonicus halli      Aptenodytes forsteri      Aptenodytes ridgeni (fossil)      breeding grounds

The genus Aptenodytes is home to some of the most impressive birds on Earth: the great penguins. These amazing creatures include two types of penguins that are still alive today, the King penguin and the Emperor penguin. There was also a third type, now extinct, called Ridgen's penguin. These penguins are known for their large size and their incredible ability to survive in some of the coldest places on the planet.

What's in a Name?

The name "Aptenodytes" sounds a bit complicated, but it has a cool meaning! It comes from ancient Greek words that mean "without-wings-diver." This name perfectly describes penguins. Their wings have evolved into strong flippers. These flippers help them "fly" through the water, even though they can't fly in the air.

The Penguin Family Tree

The Aptenodytes genus is like a special branch on the big family tree of all penguins. Scientists have studied their bodies and even their DNA to understand where they fit in.

Ancient Ancestors

Research shows that the great penguins are very ancient. They are considered the earliest branch of all living penguins. This means their ancestors split off from the main penguin family tree about 40 million years ago! Imagine, these penguins have been around for a very, very long time. They evolved into the incredible birds we see today.

Meet the Species

There are three known species in the Aptenodytes family:

• King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
  • Aptenodytes patagonicus patagonicus
  • Aptenodytes patagonicus halli
• Emperor penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri
• †Ridgen's penguin, Aptenodytes ridgeni, which is an extinct species. We know about it from fossil bones found from the Pliocene age, millions of years ago.

The eggs of a king penguin (about 10 cm long) and an emperor penguin (about 11-13 cm long). On the right, two king penguins are taking turns guarding their egg on South Georgia Island.

The Great Penguin Species

Let's learn more about the two types of great penguins that live today:

Genus Aptenodytes – Miller, JF, 1778 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
King penguin	Aptenodytes patagonicus Miller, JF, 1778 Two subspecies Aptenodytes patagonicus patagonicus Aptenodytes patagonicus halli	King penguins live on islands south of the equator, near Antarctica. You can find them on subantarctic islands, Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands. .	Size: These penguins stand about 90 cm (3 ft) tall and weigh between 11 to 16 kg (24 to 35 lb). They have steel blue-grey backs that turn black on their heads. Their bellies are white, with orange patches on their upper chests and bright orange spots near their ears. They have long, thin black beaks with a striking pink or orange part on the lower beak. Habitat: Diet:	LC
Emperor penguin	Aptenodytes forsteri Gray, 1844	Emperor penguins live all around Antarctica, between 66° and 77° South. They usually breed on stable sea ice close to the coast. They can travel up to 18 km (11 mi) offshore.	Size: Emperor penguins are the tallest of all penguins, standing about 122 cm (4 ft) tall. They weigh from 22 to 37 kg (48.5 to 82 lb). Adults have deep black feathers on their heads, throats, backs, and flippers. Their bellies are white, turning pale yellow on their upper chests, with bright yellow ear patches. Their upper beak is black, and the lower beak can be pink, orange, or lilac. Males and females look very similar. Habitat: Diet:	NT