Adélie penguin:
Around 10,000,000 mature individuals
Can be found:
South Orkney and South Sandwich Islands, and Antarctica
Threats:
Climate change, fisheries
Adélie penguin colony
Adélie penguin
(Pygoscelis adeliae)
The Adélie (pronounced "uh-day-lee") is the littlest, and also the most widespread, species of penguin in the Antarctic.
They might look a bit clumsy on land, but penguins are brilliant swimmers. They can dive down to 180 metres – though they tend to catch their food (mainly krill and fish) much closer to the surface.
Penguins may seem cute to us, but they're excellent predators and very efficient foragers. Adélies have a feisty attitude too. They’ve been known to slap or strike potential predators – seals or large seabirds – or even attack visiting researchers with their flippers.
Adélie penguin populations are increasing in East Antarctica. However, in the Antarctic Peninsula, Adélie penguin populations have fallen by 65% in the past 25 years. This is due to climate change - the biggest threat facing them right now.
Why are Adélie penguins important?
Adélie penguins are a vital part of the Antarctic food chain – they eat tiny creatures like krill and small fish, and are a source of food for predators like leopard seals and orcas.
By protecting Adélie penguins we’re helping look after their ocean environment, which is good for all the wildlife that depends on it.
Key facts about Adélie penguins
What habitat does an Adélie penguin live in?
Adélie penguins are found on the Antarctic continent and on a number of sub-Antarctic islands including Bouvet Island, South Orkneys and the South Sandwich Islands. Two mega-colonies of Adélie penguins are on Antarctica's remote Danger Islands.[1]
How many Adélie penguins are there in the wild?
There are around ten million Adélie penguins in the wild.[1]
How big is an Adélie penguin?
Adélie penguins are approximately 70cm tall (around the same height as a standard side table). [2] They weigh 3-6kg (about the same as an average house cat).
What does an Adélie penguin eat?
Adélie penguins mainly feed on krill, as well as on fish and squid.[1]
What is the IUCN status of Adélie penguins?
Adélie penguins are classed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN RedList and their population trend is increasing.[1]
Where do Adélie penguins live?
Explore the map below to see the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) range data for Adélie penguins.[3]
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© Natacha Planque / IPEV / CNRS -
© WWF-Aus / Chris Johnson
How we’re helping
WWF supporting Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique’s (CNRS) ongoing research at the Dumont d’Urville research station in the Pointe Géologie archipelago. At this living observatory, CNRS monitors marine predator populations, including penguins, to understand climate change impacts and inform conservation action. Efforts include tagging, GPS tracking, and annual counts, with valiant field assistants are contributing vital data. These insights are powerful tools in global advocacy and policy advocacy to protect penguins and their Antarctic habitat.
Icy Insights: Duties Of A Penguin Researcher On The Edge Of Antarctica
Step into the world of penguin researcher, Natacha Planque, learning about her year-round data gathering duties on the edge of Antarctica.
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