We couldn’t produce an Antarctica wildlife guide without mentioning penguins. Undoubtedly, one of the main reasons people visit Antarctica, is to encounter penguins, simply because they are fascinating creatures. In fact, a lot of travelers only know one thing at the start of their polar researching journey, and that’s: "I want to see Penguins!"
Antarctica isn’t just home to one type of penguin either, with multiple subspecies calling the continent home. Visitors are likely to encounter a wide variety of waddling penguins.
So how will you know which species you’re looking out for? How will you know your Gentoo penguins from your Chinstrap penguins? And if it’s an Adélie penguin, would you know? Fear not, we can explain how to identify the different varieties of the extremely lovable, black and white creatures.
Firstly, the Gentoo penguin can be identified from its bright orange and red bill, as well as the white patches above their eyes that make them stand out in a crowd of the typical ‘tuxedo-look’ black and white penguins.
Next up is the Chinstrap penguin, which is marked by its distinguished narrow black band that decorates the underside of its neck, hence the name, ‘Chinstrap’. Chinstrap penguins are also black and white in appearance and are devoid of the bright orange markings that the Gentoo is known for.
A third type of penguin you could encounter in the Antarctic, is the Adélie penguin. The Adélie penguin is a mid-sized variation of the species, with distinctive marks, such as the subtle white ring that surrounds the eye and the elongated feathers that adorn the back of their heads.
Keep an eye out for these amazing creatures on your Scenic Eclipse Antarctica cruise!