Weighing 22–45 kg, the Emperor Penguin ranks as one of the heaviest carnivore birds (#1 of 12). Native to Antarctica, it lives in Antarctic habitats and is classified as Near Threatened.
Physical Characteristics & Habitat
Size & Speed
| Metric | Emperor Penguin | Carnivore Birds Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 33.5 kg | 2.3 kg | ↑ 1357% |
| Height | 100 cm | — | — |
| Top Speed | 9 km/h | 33.5 km/h | ↓ 73% |
| Avg Speed | 2.3 km/h | — | — |
Habitat & Distribution
The Emperor Penguin inhabits Antarctic habitats. It can be found in Antarctica.
Typical coloring: Black, White.
Diet & Predators
Behavior & Reproduction
Social Structure
The Emperor Penguin is a colony-based species belonging to the Spheniscidae family.
Reproduction
Conservation & Comparison
IUCN Conservation Status
NT The Emperor Penguin is classified as Near Threatened. There are 14 species with the same status in our database.
Species Comparison
Among 13 carnivore birds, the Emperor Penguin’s weight of 22–45 kg is significantly higher than the group median of 2.3 kg.
Weight rank: #6 of 14 Near Threatened species.
| # | Species | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Rhinoceros | 1800–2500 kg | NT |
| 2 | Narwhal | Up to 1600 kg | NT |
| 3 | American Bison | 318–1000 kg | NT |
| 4 | Markhor | Up to 110 kg | NT |
| 5 | Gerenuk | 28–52 kg | NT |
Related Species
How much does a Emperor Penguin weigh?
A Emperor Penguin typically weighs 22–45 kg, which is exceptionally high compared to the median of 2.3 kg among carnivore birds.
What is the conservation status of the Emperor Penguin?
The Emperor Penguin is classified as “Near Threatened”. There are 14 species with the same status in our database.
Where does the Emperor Penguin live?
The Emperor Penguin is found in Antarctica, in antarctic habitats.
How does the Emperor Penguin reproduce?
The Emperor Penguin has a gestation period of 62–66 days and typically produces 1 offspring per birth.
Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026