Emperor penguins are the biggest penguins on Earth and the only animals that raise babies through the brutal Antarctic winter. Dads balance the egg on their feet for two freezing months while thousands of penguins huddle together for warmth.
📋 Emperor Penguin at a glance
⚡ Superpower
Emperor penguins dive deeper than any other bird — over 1,600 feet, holding their breath for around 20 minutes.
🤩 Amazing Emperor Penguin facts
Penguin dads keep the egg warm on top of their feet for about 2 months — without eating.
❓ Common questions about emperor penguins
How big is an emperor penguin?
Up to 4 ft tall, 90 lb. Penguin dads keep the egg warm on top of their feet for about 2 months — without eating.
Where do emperor penguins live?
Emperor Penguins live in the wild: antarctic ice & ocean. They are wild animals and are never kept as pets.
How long do emperor penguins live?
Emperor Penguins typically live ~20 years in the wild.
Can you keep an emperor penguin as a pet?
No — Emperor Penguins are wild animals that belong in the wild (antarctic ice & ocean), and keeping one would be unsafe and usually illegal. The closest pet you can actually keep is a duck — see our care guide.
Could you keep an emperor penguin as a pet?
No — emperor penguins are wild animals that belong in the wild, and keeping one would be unsafe and almost always illegal. But if emperor penguins are your favorite, here's the closest pet you actually can welcome home:
Meet the DuckBecause no pet is a penguin, but a pet duck gives you a waddling, water-loving bird you actually can care for.
See care guide →
🎬 See emperor penguins in action
Watch kid-friendly videos about emperor penguins on YouTube.
▶ Watch Emperor Penguin videos on YouTube