As of 2021, there are a total of how many different species of penguin?

There are currently 18 species of penguin in the world, although 11 are globally threatened due to changes affecting their habitats. The 18 species are as follows: King, Emperor, Gentoo, Adelie, Chinstrap, Southern Rockhopper, Northern Rockhopper, Fiordland, Snares, Erect-crested, Macaroni, Royal, Yellow-eyed, Little, African, Humboldt, Magellanic, and Galapagos.

Penguins are aquatic, flightless birds that predominantly live in the southern hemisphere. Whilst most people associate penguins with the Antarctic, many live in warmer climates. The Galapagos penguins, for example, live near the equator.

Despite the various differences between the penguin species, they all have countershaded dark and white plumage, and two flipper-like wings.

Penguins eat a mixture of krill, fish, squid, and sea life. They divide their time between living on land and swimming in the oceans.