Penguin

The number of penguin species has been and still is a matter of debate. The numbers of penguin species listed in the literature vary between 16 and 19 species.

Some sources consider the White-Flippered Penguin a separate species, although today it is generally considered a subspecies of the Little Penguin. Similarly, it is still unclear whether the Royal Penguin is merely a colour morph of the Macaroni penguin. Also possibly eligible to be treated as a separate species is the Northern population of Rockhopper penguins. Although all penguin species are native to the southern hemisphere, they are not, contrary to popular belief, found only in cold climates, such as Antarctica. In fact, only a few species of penguin actually live so far south. Three species live in the tropics; one lives as far north as the Galápagos Islands (the Galápagos Penguin) and will occasionally cross the equator while feeding.