Slip, slide, squawk! 13 weird and wonderful photos of penguins

From plunging into predator-filled waters to marching across icebergs, these much-adored animals thrive in the harshest conditions. Meet some of the quirky and playful characters...

8 mins
Adélie penguins dive from an iceberg into the Weddell Sea (Dreamstime)

Adélie penguins dive from an iceberg into the Weddell Sea (Dreamstime)

This rockhopper penguin basks in the sun to dry its feathers after swimming (Dreamstime)

This rockhopper penguin basks in the sun to dry its feathers after swimming (Dreamstime)

Instead of teeth, penguins like this Adélie have backward-facing spines in their beaks to catch fish and squid (Dreamstime)

Instead of teeth, penguins like this Adélie have backward-facing spines in their beaks to catch fish and squid (Dreamstime)

Macaroni penguins are one of only a handful of species equipped with impressive yellow crests (Dreamstime)

Macaroni penguins are one of only a handful of species equipped with impressive yellow crests (Dreamstime)

These juvenile gentoo penguins chase their parent for food in the Falkland Islands (Dreamstime)

These juvenile gentoo penguins chase their parent for food in the Falkland Islands (Dreamstime)

Chinstrap penguins get their name from the thin black band around their face (Dreamstime)

Chinstrap penguins get their name from the thin black band around their face (Dreamstime)

Emperor penguins incubate their chicks to keep them warm, while their partner forages for food (Dreamstime)

Emperor penguins incubate their chicks to keep them warm, while their partner forages for food (Dreamstime)

Unlike most birds, penguins moult all their feathers at once, creating some very quirky hairstyles (Dreamstime)

Unlike most birds, penguins moult all their feathers at once, creating some very quirky hairstyles (Dreamstime)

Gentoo penguins have few predators on land, but are hunted by leopard seals and orca whales in the water (Dreamstime)

Gentoo penguins have few predators on land, but are hunted by leopard seals and orca whales in the water (Dreamstime)

Humboldt penguins have two layers of feathers in order to stop their skin from becoming soaked when in the water (Dreamstime)

Humboldt penguins have two layers of feathers in order to stop their skin from becoming soaked when in the water (Dreamstime)

Gentoos are the fastest penguin species in the water, reaching speeds of up to 36km/h, but are much more awkward on land (Dreamstime)

Gentoos are the fastest penguin species in the water, reaching speeds of up to 36km/h, but are much more awkward on land (Dreamstime)

Yellow-eyed penguins are the most endangered penguin species, with only 3,400 individuals remaining (Dreamstime)

Yellow-eyed penguins are the most endangered penguin species, with only 3,400 individuals remaining (Dreamstime)

Adélie penguins are able to identify their individual chick by its unique call (Dreamstime)

Adélie penguins are able to identify their individual chick by its unique call (Dreamstime)

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