After a long hot Summer, turn your attention to a couple of cool members of the wildlife community. Polar bears and the 18 species of penguins are among the most beloved animals in the world. Sadly, the future survival of their respective populations is under direct threat, especially due to the impacts of climate change.

We are having an animal naming contest! Submit names for our friends above for a chance to win an adorable plush animal or a comfy throw blanket. Enter as many times as you’d like! Winners will be announced on October 31, 2022.

Fun Facts About Our Friends
  •  You’ll never see penguins and polar bears together in the wild because penguins live south of the equator while polar bears live north of the equator in the Arctic!

  • Did you know both penguins and polar bears are great swimmers? The fastest penguin, the gentoo penguin, can reach speeds of up to 22 miles per hour, while polar bears can reach 6 mph and have been observed swimming as much as 60 miles offshore – though this is likely due to shrinking sea ice.     

  • When it comes to size, these animals are obviously very different. The emperor penguin is the largest species of penguin at about 45-50 inches tall, weighing between 50-90 lbs. The male polar bear is massive and can weigh as much as 1,700 lbs and weigh twice as much as female polar bears. 

  • Penguins are classified as marine birds while polar bears are marine mammals. 
 
Member Donors to National Wildlife Federation know their gifts ($38 average) help protect species like these through conservation and the important work being done by NWF.


To learn more about NWF's lists, contact Alan Yu.