Genus Aptenodytes
King Penguin
オウサマペンギン Aptenodytes patagonicus
About
The only penguin with a prolonged breeding season of 14 to 15 months, so its colonies are occupied all year round. It builds no nest and incubates its egg on its feet. It dives mostly by day to depths of 160–200 m, feeding mainly on lanternfish.
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Aptenodytes patagonicus
- Conservation status (IUCN)
- Least Concern (LC) — assessed 2020
- Population trend
- Increasing
- Population
- About 1.1 million breeding pairs
- Range
- Breeds on sub-Antarctic islands, with South Georgia now the largest site, followed by the Crozet and Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie, Heard and the Prince Edward Islands. Small colonies also occur on the Falkland Islands and in southern Chile.
Where to see the King Penguin in Japan
Adventure World
Wakayama Shirahama
10 penguin species
Asahiyama Zoo
Hokkaido Asahikawa
4 penguin species
Echizen Matsushima Aquarium
Fukui Sakai
4 penguin species
Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
Kanagawa Yokohama
5 penguin species
Shimonoseki Aquarium Kaikyokan
Yamaguchi Shimonoseki
5 penguin species
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Minato-ku, Osaka
4 penguin species
Kamogawa Sea World
Chiba Kamogawa
3 penguin species
Tokyo Sea Life Park
Tokyo Edogawa
4 penguin species
Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium
Nagasaki
9 penguin species
Noboribetsu Marine Park NIXE
Hokkaido Noboribetsu
3 penguin species
Sendai Uminomori Aquarium
Miyagi Miyagino-ku, Sendai
5 penguin species
FAQ
- Where can I see the King Penguin in Japan?
- At 11 places listed on PenguinSpot: Adventure World, Asahiyama Zoo, Echizen Matsushima Aquarium, Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, Shimonoseki Aquarium Kaikyokan, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Kamogawa Sea World, Tokyo Sea Life Park, Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium, Noboribetsu Marine Park NIXE, Sendai Uminomori Aquarium.
- Is the King Penguin endangered?
- It is not threatened. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern (LC), assessed in 2020.
Sources
We checked the sources below on October 21, 2026.