Creature Feature #580: Penguin

The Penguin Family originated in New Zealand :) (or at least I heard that in a documentary about NZ prehistory - Australia "stole" the kiwi, but we could claim the Penguin).

Penguins are a Family of flightless birds, uniquely adapted for a life at sea. Their wings have become modified into flippers, and their large bodies store fat - perfect for insulating them against the icy waters of their polar homes. As a Family, they are restricted almost exclusively to the Southern hemisphere, with many species occuring in the sub-Antarctic. However, there are species found in the Galapagos Islands and southern Africa. There are between 18-20 species, ranging in size from the diminutive Little Blue Penguin to the Emperor Penguin.

Some species will be dealt with individually: The Emperor and the Macaroni have already been dealt with, and the Rockhopper and Yellow-eyed may well make an appearance at a later date. This wee fellow is an Adelie Penguin, the smallest species found in Antarctica.

I have previously drawn the Little Blue as well:

(This is from my to-eventually-be-released "Happy Avian Families" card game)