Gentoo Penguins rest amid icebergs beached on the continent of Antarctica at Neko Harbor. We cruised here on the red and white ship M/S Explorer in February 2005 and made a wet landing using Zodiac boats. Glaciers calve icebergs into the Southern Ocean from Graham Land, the north portion of the Antarctic Peninsula, in Antarctica. An adult Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) has a bright orange-red bill and a wide white stripe extending across the top of its head. Chicks have grey backs with white fronts. Of all penguins, Gentoos have the most prominent tail, which sweeps from side to side as they waddle on land, hence the scientific name Pygoscelis, "rump-tailed." As the the third largest species of penguin, adult Gentoos reach 51 to 90 cm (20-36 in) high. They are the fastest underwater swimming penguin, reaching speeds of 36 km per hour.
Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download