Home Animals A-Z
Animals A-Z >  Salas's Penguin
Salas's Penguin

The giant penguin, Icadyptes salasi, towered in prehistoric Peru, distinguished by its towering stature and elongated beak. Thriving in warm waters, it challenges our penguin perceptions, showcasing evolutionary adaptability. As an apex predator, it played a crucial role in its ecosystem, preying on fish and contributing to marine biodiversity.

49.8952 - 79.8323 kg
Weight
Height: 1.524 m
Size
Low
Aggression
Characteristics
Icadyptes salasi, an extinct giant penguin, lived around 36 million years ago in what is now Peru. It stood over 1.5 meters tall and had a long, spear-like beak. This species thrived in warm climates, contrasting with the cold habitats of modern penguins.
Distribution Range of the Salas's Penguin
The Icadyptes salasi, a prehistoric penguin species, is native to the coastal regions of present-day Peru in South America. It lived during the late Eocene epoch, approximately 36 million years ago.
Salas's Penguin's Habitat
Environmental Conditions
Icadyptes salasi inhabited coastal marine environments. During the late Eocene, this region experienced tropical to subtropical climate conditions, which were warmer than today's temperatures.
Ecological Niche
As a marine predator, Icadyptes salasi likely occupied a niche similar to modern penguins, foraging in the ocean for fish and other small marine organisms. Its habitat would have included rocky shores and possibly some forested areas near the coast, as suggested by the fossil context.