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The Adelie Penguin is a species of penguin named after Adele, the wife of French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville who first discovered them in 1840. They are medium-sized penguins, measuring around 70 cm (28 in) tall and weighing between 3.5 to 6 kg (8 - 13 lbs). Adelie Penguins have a distinctive black head and back, with a white belly and distinctive white eye rings. They are found exclusively in Antarctica, where they breed on the coasts and nearby islands during the summer months. Adelie Penguins are well adapted to life in the extreme cold of Antarctica. They have a layer of insulating feathers, as well as a thick layer of blubber to keep warm. Their wings have evolved into stiff paddles that they use to swim through the water at speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph). Adelie Penguins feed primarily on krill, small shrimp-like animals that live in large swarms in the cold waters of Antarctica. Adelie Penguins play an important role in the Antarctic ecosystem as both predators and prey. They are a key link in the food chain, consuming vast quantities of krill and providing food for larger predators such as seals and killer whales. In turn, Adelie Penguin eggs and chicks are an important source of food for skuas, giant petrels, and other birds. As a member of the penguin family, Adelie Penguins share many characteristics with other species of penguins, such as their upright posture, waddling walk, and ability to swim rapidly through the water. However, they are unique in their exclusive habitat in Antarctica and their adaptation to life in one of the coldest places on Earth.