A LITTLE WILDLIFE PERSPECTIVE
How tall is an emperor penguin?
Compare your height to an emperor penguin.
An adult emperor penguin stands roughly 101–132 cm (3 ft 4 in–4 ft 4 in) tall.
A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE
Emperor penguin
next to the average.
Average U.S. adults, side by side.
- Average man (U.S.)5 ft 8.9 in
- Emperor penguin3 ft 9.3 in
- Average woman (U.S.)5 ft 3.5 in
How do you measure up?
Enter your height to stand beside an emperor penguin.
Side by side
- Emperor penguin3 ft 9.3 in
- Your placeAdd your height
The animal is an example adult in the pose shown. Its full outline is scaled to 115 cm. Shoulder height and body length are explained below.
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GET TO KNOW THE ANIMAL
Small facts. Big discoveries.
Emperor penguin · Aptenodytes forsteri
An emperor penguin’s upright stance makes it look ready to join a human lineup. Under its feathers is a body adapted to cold Antarctic conditions and swimming.
Emperor penguins gather into moving huddles to conserve warmth during the Antarctic breeding season. In a crowded colony, distinctive calls help partners find each other and allow chicks to recognize their parents, even when many similar-looking birds are standing close together.
- Adults have dark backs, white fronts, and yellow-orange patches near their heads.
- A streamlined body and flipper-shaped wings help penguins move through water.
How big do adults get?
- Male
- Shared range: 101–132 cm; usually larger
- Female
- Shared range: 101–132 cm; usually smaller
The cited adult range for both sexes is 101–132 cm and roughly 25–45 kg. Weight changes a great deal during the breeding cycle.
Height, length, or weight?
Standing height runs from the ground to the top of the animal. Shoulder height stops at the top of the shoulders. Length runs along the body; it is not how tall an animal stands. Weight tells us how heavy it is.
Explore the science: Animal Diversity Web · University of Michigan ↗