Penguins live only in the Southern Hemisphere.  The penguins at the El Paso Zoo are Magellanic Penguins from the Falkland Islands and several nearshore islands along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of southern South America.

Our penguins are Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) from South America.  In the wild they are able to live at temperatures reaching 90 degrees F. or more.  To help our penguins cope with El Paso’s hot summer days our exhibit includes shade covers, overhangs and burrows, chilled water and air-conditioned indoor spaces.

One of the big questions people coming to the Zoo have when they see our exhibit is “where’s the snow and ice? ” Not all penguins live in the cold and ice-covered Antarctic.  Many species live on the warmer coasts of South America, Africa and Australia. The range map above will help you see where all the penguins of the world are living. Below you can see what penguin biodiversity looks like.

Of the 18 different penguin species only the Emperor Penguin, Adelie Penguin, Chinstrap, Gentoo and Macaroni make the cold Antarctic their home. 

Status in the Wild

Emperor – Near Threatened
King – Least Concern
Royal – Least Concern
Adelie – Least Concern
Macaroni – Vulnerable
Gentoo – Least Concern
Galapagos – Endangered
Magellanic – Least Concern
Humboldt – Vulnerable
African – Endangered
Snare – Vulnerable
Fiordland – Near Threatened
Little Blue – Least Concern
Yellow Eye – Endangered
Erect Crested – Endangered
Northern Rockhopper – Endangered
Southern Rockhopper – Vulnerable
Chinstrap – Least Concern

Learn more about Penguins

Our graphics program at the penguin exhibit covers many of the questions zoo guests have about these fascinating ocean animals. Be sure to take your time and enjoy watching the Zoo’s new inhabitants while reading our graphic panels.

Photos
Map – Wikimedia Creative Commons
Photos – Liam Quinn, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Penguins of the World art – “Ocean Portal, Smithsonian Institution
Bottom Three – Rick LoBello

Rick LoBello, Education Curator