Galápagos penguins swimming, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Galápagos penguins swimming, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Penguins usually bring Antarctica to mind, but these endearing flightless seabirds don't always follow the ice. Found only in the Galápagos Islands—a volcanic archipelago about 966 kilometres off Ecuador's coast—the Galápagos penguins pictured here live farther north than any other penguin. Cool, nutrient‑rich ocean currents make this equatorial habitat possible by supplying food and keeping surrounding waters within survivable temperatures. Compact and agile, these birds spend much of the day in the water to stay cool.

Due to their restricted range, they are especially susceptible to changes in ocean temperature and food availability. This rare tropical scene highlights the remarkable diversity of penguins worldwide and the fragile balance that sustains species living at the limits of their habitats.