Emperor penguins are prepared for the icy waters and frozen temperatures of Antarctica. They have layers of fat that act like layers of sweaters, but they keep the emperor penguins much warmer than sweaters keep people. Short, thick feathers cover the penguins' bodies, except for their feet and bills. They have white feathers on their stomachs and black feathers on their backs. These feathers make waterproof coats when the penguins go swimming.
Emperor penguins live together in large groups.
The father penguin is a very caring parent. After the mother lays a single egg, the father takes care of it. He holds the egg on his feet. To keep it warm, the father covers the egg with rolls of fat at the lower part of his belly. The mother leaves the father with the egg for two months while she goes hunting for fish.