Which penguin is the only species naturally found north of the equator?

The Galápagos penguin is the only penguin species naturally found north of the equator.

It lives around the Galápagos Islands, an equatorial archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. Most of its range is in the Southern Hemisphere, but parts of the islands lie just north of the equator, giving this species its unusual distinction.

Cool waters brought by the Cromwell Current and the Peru Current make the Galápagos environment suitable for penguins. These currents provide fish and help offset the islands’ tropical location. Galápagos penguins are among the smallest penguins, standing roughly 49 centimetres tall.

The species is endemic to the Galápagos and does not naturally occur on mainland coasts. Its restricted range makes it vulnerable to changes in food supply, especially during El Niño events, when warmer water can reduce the availability of prey.