Are you taller than a penguin?

Penguins come in all shapes and sizes. Some, like the Emperor Penguin, can top 130 centimeters, or about 4 feet tall. Others, like the appropriately named Little Penguin, grow to be just 30 centimeters — shorter than 1 foot.

How do you measure up against these Antarctic birds? Use this activity, from Little Scientists Australia, to compare your own height to different breeds of penguins.

What you need:

1. Using the list at the end of this article, measure the heights of each penguin against a wall. Make sure there is enough space for you to eventually stand against the wall.

2. Put a piece of tape to mark where the top of each penguin’s head would stand. Then write the breed on the tape.

3. Stand with your heels against the wall and ask someone else to measure you. Take a look — are you taller than any penguins? Are you shorter than some? Are some exactly your height? Ask other people (or pets) if you can measure them, too, to see how they compare to a penguin!

Penguin heights