Life Span
The average penguin lifespan ranges from 15 to 20 years. One factor that affects the mortality rate of penguins, especially the emperor penguins, is winter starvation. Another is predators. Examples of predators that attack penguins in the water are leopard seals, sea lions, killer whales and sharks. On land, predators usually attack the eggs and chicks. Examples of these are foxes, snakes and feral dogs. There are also birds that prey on the penguin eggs and chicks, especially in the Antarctic region. These are Antarctic skuas, sheathbills and giant petrels.