Pachydyptes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pachydyptes |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Sphenisciformes |
| Family: | Spheniscidae |
| Subfamily: | †Palaeeudyptinae |
| Genus: | †Pachydyptes Oliver, 1930 |
| Species: |
†P. ponderosus
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| Binomial name | |
| †Pachydyptes ponderosus Oliver, 1930
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| Synonyms | |
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Pachydyptes (pronounced Pack-ee-DIP-tees) was an extinct type of penguin. It is also known as the New Zealand giant penguin. This amazing creature lived a very long time ago, about 37 to 34 million years ago (MYA). Scientists found its bones in rocks from the Late Eocene period in the Otago area of New Zealand.
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What Was the New Zealand Giant Penguin Like?
This giant penguin was truly enormous! A scientist named G.G. Simpson estimated it stood about 140 to 160 centimeters (about 5 feet) tall. That's taller than many grown-ups! It weighed around 80 to over 100 kilograms, which is heavier than a large dog.
How Big Was Pachydyptes Compared to Other Penguins?
Pachydyptes was the second-tallest penguin ever discovered. Only another ancient penguin called Anthropornis nordenskjoeldi was taller. However, Pachydyptes might have been the heaviest. Many early penguins were much larger than the penguins we see today. This shows how penguins have changed over millions of years.
Did Ancient Penguins Fly?
G.G. Simpson also believed that Pachydyptes and other early penguin species came from ancestors that could fly. Over time, these birds evolved and lost their ability to fly. Instead, they became excellent swimmers and divers, perfectly suited for life in the ocean.
See also
In Spanish: Pachydyptes para niños
 | William M. Jackson |
 | Juan E. Gilbert |
 | Neil deGrasse Tyson |
