Emperor Penguin vs King Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Emperor Penguin and King Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Emperor Penguin
King Penguin
Size Comparison
Emperor Penguin
100-130 cm
22-45 kg
King Penguin
85-95 cm
11-16 kg
| Feature | Emperor Penguin | King Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Scientific Name | Aptenodytes forsteri | Aptenodytes patagonicus |
| Height | 100-130 cm | 85-95 cm |
| Weight | 22-45 kg | 11-16 kg |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 25-30 years |
| Population | ~595,000 individuals | ~2,230,000 pairs |
| Diet | Fish, Squid, Krill | Lanternfish, Squid, Small crustaceans |
| Habitat | Antarctic sea ice, Antarctic coastline | Sub-Antarctic islands, Rocky coastlines |
| Regions | Antarctica | South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island |
| Genus | Aptenodytes | Aptenodytes |
Conservation Status
Emperor Penguin
Near ThreatenedKing Penguin
Least ConcernScientific Name
Emperor Penguin
Aptenodytes forsteri
King Penguin
Aptenodytes patagonicus
Height
Emperor Penguin
100-130 cm
King Penguin
85-95 cm
Weight
Emperor Penguin
22-45 kg
King Penguin
11-16 kg
Lifespan
Emperor Penguin
15-20 years
King Penguin
25-30 years
Population
Emperor Penguin
~595,000 individuals
King Penguin
~2,230,000 pairs
Diet
Emperor Penguin
Fish, Squid, Krill
King Penguin
Lanternfish, Squid, Small crustaceans
Habitat
Emperor Penguin
Antarctic sea ice, Antarctic coastline
King Penguin
Sub-Antarctic islands, Rocky coastlines
Regions
Emperor Penguin
Antarctica
King Penguin
South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island
Genus
Emperor Penguin
Aptenodytes
King Penguin
Aptenodytes
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 PenguinKing Penguin
The second-largest penguin species, King Penguins form some of the largest and densest seabird colonies on Earth, with striking orange and yellow markings and an unusually long 14–16 month breeding cycle.
Learn more about King PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Emperor Penguin or King Penguin?
The Emperor Penguin is larger, standing up to 130cm tall compared to the King Penguin's 95cm.
Which is more endangered, Emperor Penguin or King Penguin?
The Emperor Penguin is classified as "Near Threatened" while the King Penguin is "Least Concern".
Do Emperor Penguins and King Penguins live in the same area?
Emperor Penguins are found in Antarctica. King Penguins are found in South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island.