penguin
Japanese Name:
ペンギン
Romaji Name:
pengin
Description
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A penguin is a type of bird that cannot fly but is an excellent swimmer. Penguins have black and white feathers, a short tail, and wings that have become flippers to help them move through water. They live in the Southern Hemisphere, especially in Antarctica, but some species are found in warmer places like South Africa and South America.
History
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The word "penguin" is believed to have originally referred to the now-extinct Great Auk, a large, flightless bird found in the North Atlantic. The name possibly comes from the Welsh words "pen" (head) and "gwyn" (white), meaning "white head."
Later, when European explorers discovered similar-looking birds in the Southern Hemisphere — especially in Antarctica and nearby islands — the name "penguin" was used for them too.
Penguin Species
There are around 18 species of penguins, and they are mostly found in the Southern Hemisphere, including:
Emperor Penguin (the largest species, found in Antarctica)
Adélie Penguin
King Penguin
Humboldt Penguin (found in South America and also seen in Japanese zoos)