Emperor Penguin vs Humboldt Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Emperor Penguin and Humboldt Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Emperor Penguin
Humboldt Penguin
Size Comparison
Emperor Penguin
100-130 cm
22-45 kg
Humboldt Penguin
56-70 cm
3.6-5.9 kg
| Feature | Emperor Penguin | Humboldt Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Vulnerable |
| Scientific Name | Aptenodytes forsteri | Spheniscus humboldti |
| Height | 100-130 cm | 56-70 cm |
| Weight | 22-45 kg | 3.6-5.9 kg |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 15-20 years |
| Population | ~595,000 individuals | ~23,800 individuals |
| Diet | Fish, Squid, Krill | Anchovies, Sardines, Herring, Squid |
| Habitat | Antarctic sea ice, Antarctic coastline | Rocky coastlines, Desert coasts, Islands |
| Regions | Antarctica | Peru, Chile |
| Genus | Aptenodytes | Spheniscus |
Conservation Status
Emperor Penguin
Near ThreatenedHumboldt Penguin
VulnerableScientific Name
Emperor Penguin
Aptenodytes forsteri
Humboldt Penguin
Spheniscus humboldti
Height
Emperor Penguin
100-130 cm
Humboldt Penguin
56-70 cm
Weight
Emperor Penguin
22-45 kg
Humboldt Penguin
3.6-5.9 kg
Lifespan
Emperor Penguin
15-20 years
Humboldt Penguin
15-20 years
Population
Emperor Penguin
~595,000 individuals
Humboldt Penguin
~23,800 individuals
Diet
Emperor Penguin
Fish, Squid, Krill
Humboldt Penguin
Anchovies, Sardines, Herring, Squid
Habitat
Emperor Penguin
Antarctic sea ice, Antarctic coastline
Humboldt Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Desert coasts, Islands
Regions
Emperor Penguin
Antarctica
Humboldt Penguin
Peru, Chile
Genus
Emperor Penguin
Aptenodytes
Humboldt Penguin
Spheniscus
About Each Species
Emperor Penguin
The largest penguin species, Emperor Penguins are the only animal to breed during the Antarctic winter, trekking up to 120 km over sea ice to reach their colonies and enduring temperatures below −40 °C.
Learn more about Emperor PenguinHumboldt Penguin
Named after the cold Humboldt Current, these penguins live along the coasts of Peru and Chile in one of the most arid environments inhabited by any penguin, nesting in burrows dug into guano deposits.
Learn more about Humboldt PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Emperor Penguin or Humboldt Penguin?
The Emperor Penguin is larger, standing up to 130cm tall compared to the Humboldt Penguin's 70cm.
Which is more endangered, Emperor Penguin or Humboldt Penguin?
The Emperor Penguin is classified as "Near Threatened" while the Humboldt Penguin is "Vulnerable".
Do Emperor Penguins and Humboldt Penguins live in the same area?
Emperor Penguins are found in Antarctica. Humboldt Penguins are found in Peru, Chile.