Habitat & Range

Can penguins live in warm climates?

Yes, several penguin species thrive in warm climates. The Galapagos penguin lives on the equator where air temperatures regularly exceed 30 °C. African penguins live along the coasts of South Africa and Namibia, and Humboldt penguins inhabit the arid coasts of Peru and Chile. These warm-climate species have adapted with behaviors like panting, seeking shade, and exposing bare skin patches on their faces to release heat. The key requirement for all penguins is cold, productive ocean water — not a cold land environment.