Instant Genius Why penguins are one of the planet’s most unique bird species
Sep 14, 2025
Join Peter Fretwell, lead scientist at the British Antarctic Survey and author of The Penguin Book of Penguins, as he reveals the fascinating world of penguins. Learn how these charming birds waddle and 'fly' underwater, while debunking the myth that they only inhabit Antarctica. Discover the incredible diving abilities of emperor penguins and their unique adaptations for survival. Peter also discusses the urgent conservation challenges they face and how individuals can make a difference to help protect these beloved creatures.
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Satellite Discovery Changed A Career
- Peter Fretwell described how he accidentally discovered emperor penguin colonies by spotting their guano in freely available satellite images.
- That discovery transformed his career from cartography to leading penguin research and finding many new colonies.
Penguin Species Count Is Unstable
- The official count lists about 18 penguin species, but taxonomy remains debated and genetics has complicated classifications.
- Visual similarity can hide deep genetic differences, so species counts can change with new research.
Penguins Mostly Live South Of The Equator
- Most penguin species and populations live in the Southern Ocean and not in Antarctica.
- A few, like Galapagos penguins, straddle the equator, but nearly all species are south of the equator.
