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King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus
Königspinguin / Kongepingvin
Facts: Breeding areas: Sub-Antarctic islands, such as south of South America
Food: Mostly fish, but also squid
Number of eggs per clutch: 1
Incubation period: 52–56 days
Body length: 95 cm
Weight: 9–15 kg
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The King Penguin is the second-largest of the 17 penguin species in existence (the largest of which is the Emperor Penguin).
They have only one offspring at a time and raise two offspring over a three-year period. King penguins do not build nests, but incubate the eggs by taking turns (male and female) holding the egg on their feet covered by a fold of skin. As a result, they take turns standing on land with the egg, while the mate is in the sea hunting for food. If it takes too long before the penguin on land is relieved, it will leave the egg and dive into the sea looking for food.
Penguins catch their food by pursuing their prey. They can dive for up to 9 minutes, and king penguins have been observed diving as deep as 323 metres! Some penguins find food far from land; king penguins have been sighted more than 900 km away from land.
The penguins are fed daily at 1.30 p.m.
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