QUESTION:
How long does the average penguin live?

        From Jamie
        Sunnie Tait's Class
        Wines Elementary
        Ann Arbor, Mi

ANSWER from John Carlson, Research Assistant, Dr. Fraser's Team
            Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Sat, 15 Feb 1997 09:35:03 -0500
            

Dear Jamie,

The oldest known penguins are about 20 years old.  Most penguins 
don't get that old however.  Less than half of all chicks live 
through their first year of life and about 90% of the adult penguins 
live from one year to the next.  The average age of a penguin that 
shows up at Palmer to breed is probably around 6 or 7 years old.

Thanks for your question!

John