Penguins are a family of 17 to 19 species of birds that live primarily in the Southern Hemisphere. Contrary to popular belief, these cute little aquatic and flightless birds don’t just live on ice. Little penguins (kororā) live around all of New Zealand’s coastal areas (except the Sub-Antarctic islands and the Kermadec Islands) and in South Australia and Tasmania. Popular opinion holds that penguins live only in Arctic waters, but the truth is much stranger than that. However a banded little penguin has been recaptured the age of 25 years and 8 months old. It is true that penguins need to live … Little penguins live an average of 6 years. The coasts of Australia and New Zealand are where you’ll find the most petite of the 17 species of penguins. Penguins do not have to live on ice. The transition from the dark upper parts to the white plumage of the lower body is not as well defined as in other penguins, going through shades of grey and brown, especially in the face. Where Do Penguins Live? The Little blue penguin is the smallest among all penguin species. As the smallest penguin in the world, this flightless bird stands at an average height of 33 cm (13 in) and has a weight of 1.1 to 1.2 kg (2.4 to 2.65 lb). August 25, 2019. Ahead of the question of whether penguins are found in Africa, now it’s time to know about the places where you can spot them in Africa. Popular opinion holds that penguins live only in Arctic waters, but the truth is much stranger than that. They actually occupy habitats which are located on each of the five continents within the southern hemisphere. Habits: In contrast to the other species, Little Penguins are nocturnal. Antarctica is a very large area covered in ice. The smallest penguin species is the little (also called little blue) penguin. The blue penguin, commonly known as the little blue penguin and the fairy penguin, is the smallest species of penguin. Habits: In contrast to the other species, Little Penguins are nocturnal. All penguins have dark backs and light fronts which help to camouflage them from predators. Credit: Philippe Bourseiller/The Image Bank/Getty Images. They need to live near bodies of water. In Australia they are often referred to as Fairy Penguins due to their small size, in New Zealand they are … Penguins (order Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae) are a group of aquatic flightless birds.They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere, with only one species, the Galápagos penguin, found north of the equator.Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins have countershaded dark and white plumage and flippers for swimming. But where do penguins really live? The water the penguins live near in the southern hemisphere is … African penguins are the most loved and popular species among tourists in Africa. It is true that penguins need to live … African penguins are the most loved and popular species among tourists in Africa. Penguins live in many locations around the Southern Hemisphere. Why Do Penguins Live Near Water? Where do African Penguins Live? The Little Penguin is the smallest species of penguin and breeds around the entire coastline of New Zealand and the Chatham Islands as well as southern Australia and Tasmania. They include the tiny blue penguins of Australia and New Zealand, the majestic emperor penguins of Antarctica and king penguins found on many sub- Antarctic islands, the endangered African penguin and the Galápagos penguin—the only penguin to be found north of the equator. There are currently 18 recognized species of penguins around the world, as determined by various agencies, scientists and experts in the field. How many types of penguins are there?