Fairy Penguin - Facts, Pictures, Diet and Habitat | Australian Animals Contact Us Fairy Penguin Fairy Penguin is the smallest member of the family of Penguins primarily found in the southern parts of Australia and New Zealand. This cute looking Penguin has multiple species and known by different names like Little Blue Penguins. These Penguins are among the major tourist attractions in the places they are found and people are in awe of their beauty as they glide along the coastal areas. They are distinguished by their typical bluish hue and white under color and look wonderful when they move around noisily in clusters. Scientific name Fairy Penguin is scientifically known as Eudyptula minor. Fairy Penguin Description These creatures can be easily identified, as they are the smallest of creatures in the species of Penguins in an attractive shade. Some of their physical attributes are: Color The mammals have a nice blue shade on their upper body or feathers and a contrast is being provided by the shade of white under those feathers comprising the underbelly. They have dark black-gray colored beaks along with pink feet covering black soles. Shades are lighter when they are young. Weight Fairy Penguins weigh around 1 kg and look prettily plump.

Height They have incredibly short height, growing up to around 12 inches tall in their entire lifetime. Their approximate length of the beak is almost 3 to 3.5 cm and their age determines other measurements of their physical appearance. Picture 1 – Fairy Penguin Feathers They have taut and small feathers that have an amazing waterproofing quality made possible by the presence of oil glands in the tail. Fairy Penguin Behavior Fairy Penguins have several distinct behavioral traits. Since they love swimming, they indulge in it frequently after sunrise. They hunt for their food usually in the evenings by diving into the sea and are great at it. These creatures can communicate via certain sounds that are prominent during the breeding season when they call for their mating partners. They show distinct behavior pattern while recognizing their partners. Apart from having definite vocal patterns, they also display physical behavior. They have a distinct hunting design and are able to dive as deep as 10 to 15 m for hunting food. Interestingly they cover their bill while sleeping which may seem to be a clever way of preventing the loss of heat from the body. Fairy Penguins like any other species of the same family are extremely social though they tend to be shy as well. They move around and also eat in groups.

These little creatures a distinct way of waterproofing their bodies by releasing and rubbing the oil on their bodies by the process of preening that they do all through the day. Picture 2 – Fairy Penguin Photo Fairy Penguin Sounds They are highly vocal and they have a way of communicating via sounds of various kinds. An extensive range of sound emitted by the creature helps them mate, seek protection and play. As mating season approaches, they recognize their partners and call for them via different sounds. Princeton Fairy Penguin Diet These amazing Penguins are carnivorous creatures surviving on tiny sea creatures, fishes and squids like Australian anchovies. Distribution They are fairly distributed mainly on the southern fringes of Australia, New Zealand, Chatham Islands and Tasmania. Habitat This family of Penguins differs from other species by the way of living in tropical as well as sub Antarctic regions. These creatures make burrows underground which again have a pretty stable temperature around 25 to 30 degree Celsius. These burrows are adjacent to the sea or any other water body. They generally form colonies that are scattered around place where they are dominant.

Picture 3 – Baby Fairy Penguin Fairy Penguin Predators Among the predators at sea, killer whales, sharks and furs are common, while they are preyed upon by massive Gulls and Sea Eagles on land. New Zealand Fur Seals are a common danger apart from foxes, snakes, feral cats and lizards. Fairy Penguin Adaptations Fairy Penguins have quite a number of adaptive features. They, like any other of their species have wings that work like flippers helping them swim. They exhibit mechanisms like a flying bird. They can dive like experts though the timing of staying underwater is not long enough. Their bodies have glands located at the bill which enables them to discard the salt which may deposit while they are in the sea. Their feathers are waterproofing shields and they provide them the warmth and protection from freezing waters of the ocean. These fairy Penguins have a great circulatory system that is suitable to maintain the temperature of the body, either by releasing or conserving heat Inflatable Bouncer . Fairy Penguins Mating Season Breeding season of these Penguins is considered to be the shortest as compared with the other Penguins. It can breed all through the year for a period of 45 to 50 days.

Picture 4 – Fairy Penguin Picture Fairy Penguin Breeding They have a distinct pattern and season of breeding, when they meet at the breeding colonies. Maturity age of the male Fairy Penguin is around 3 years and female is 2 years approximately. Eggs are generally laid in the months following September till November and that go through an incubation period of around 40 days, in which the males also participate. These Penguins are serial monogamous creatures. They are very loyal to their counterparts during the whole season of breeding and as soon as it gets over, they look for other partners. When the little Penguins are born, they are looked after for almost a month and then allowed to roam free and hunt for their own food. Breeding Range Families of these creatures can be traced all through New Zealand and southern Australia. They have their breeding range extended across Western Australia comprising the Shoalwater Island group towards the southern coastal region till the eastern sides including South Solitary Islands. In New Zealand, these creatures can be spotted along the shores of Stewart Islands and Chatham. They breed in the coastal regions that possess no threat from mammalian predators for safe delivery and nurturing of the young ones. They are known to return back to the same locations every year for breeding.

Picture 5 – Fairy Penguin Egg Fairy Penguin Lifespan The average lifespan of the creature is 6 to 7 years but they have been recorded to live longer when captivated. Fairy Penguin Sub Species White-flippered Penguin may be termed as a sub species of the Fairy Penguin. Fairy Penguin Conservation status According to IUCN reports this species of Penguins are listed as ‘least concerned’ ones. Fairy Penguin As Pets Requisites for petting them: Housing: As Fairy Penguins are sociable, they can coexist with humans at home. They even adapt to the surroundings really fast so housing them won’t be a problem. For this, a water body or a pool having fresh water is essential as they will spend considerable time in it. Food: They can be fed with small fishes fresh from the stream. Caring: It is advised to protect them from excess heat, cold and snow, so don’t forget them outside! In case they fall sick, it would be advised to consult a professional. Picture 6 – Fairy Penguin Image Fairy Penguin Interesting Facts These aquatic creatures were first mentioned and identified by German naturalist Johann Reinhold Forster in his journals published in 1781.

They form colonies during breeding season that are also called rookeries that stretch for several hundreds of km sq. The maximum time that these fairy Penguins can stay underneath water by holding their breath is 60 seconds. While going back to their burrows at night these wonderful creatures wait and call for each other so that they can travel safely. This parade is a sight to behold. Penguins often preserve their energy by sleeping for longer duration. Sleeping behavior of fairy Penguins often may remind of the birds. For generating extra heat in their body, these creatures are often seen shivering. They look lovely when they are found sliding or waddling on the ground. They have great audible power and vision under water. Tobogganing is the term given to the sliding of the Penguin on its stomach. Fairy Penguins are the smallest in the species of Penguins known by different names. Tourists visit Sea World in Australia’s Gold Coast which has a colony of Fairy Penguins. Reference: PENGUINS - Reproduction Reproduction InfoBook Home Sexual Maturity Like most seabirds, penguins tend to be long-lived. They may take three to eight years to reach sexual maturity.

With some of the smaller species, breeding may begin at three to four years, but most larger species are not accomplished breeders until much later. On average, breeding does not begin until the fifth year, and a few males do not breed until the eighth year. Mating Activity Breeding seasons differ from species to species. Most species have an annual breeding season - spring through summer. The king penguin has the longest breeding cycle of all the penguin species, lasting 14 to 16 months. A female king penguin may produce a chick during alternate breeding seasons. Emperor penguins breed annually during the antarctic winter, June through August. During the emperor breeding season, air temperature may drop to -60°C (-76°F) and winds may reach speeds up to 200 kph (124 mph.) For most of the winter, antarctic penguins live in an environment of darkness or half-light. Why emperors breed during the harshest season of the year is unknown, but some scientists speculate that when the chicks become independent five months later (in January and February, the antarctic summer), environmental conditions are more favorable for the young birds.

The little penguin breeds throughout the year and has the shortest breeding cycle, which lasts about 50 days. Some of the temperate penguins, like the Humboldt and the African, tend to nest throughout the year. Courtship. Courtship varies among species. It generally begins with both visual and auditory displays. In many species, males display first to establish a nest site and then to attract a mate. Not all species exhibit all displays, but in general there are three distinct types of displays. Ecstatic. Also called trumpeting, head swinging or advertisement, this display establishes possession of a nest site, attracts females, and warns other males to stay away. Males at the nest site commonly exhibit the ecstatic display before females arrive or when building nests. The male may dip its head low and then stretch its head and neck upward with flippers held outstretched and squawk or "bray". Male penguins can perform the ecstatic display in a sitting or standing position. Some species, like the Adélie, chinstrap, and crested penguins, may swing their head or flap their flippers while calling. Mutual ecstatic. Once paired, male and female penguins perform the mutual ecstatic display together.

This display seems to strengthen the pair bond, coordinate nesting behavior, and advertise a nesting territory. The mutual display is similar to the ecstatic display—head and neck stretched upward with a braying vocal. Crested, brush-tailed, and temperate penguins, stand facing each other, performing the action in unison. Within these species there are some behavior differences. For example, gentoos generally hold their outstretched head and flippers still, while macaronis flap flippers and roll their heads from side to side. Emperor penguins have a unique mutual display position: Standing face-to-face, individuals hold their heads down with bills pointed to the ground while braying. Mutual displays continue throughout the breeding season, often taking place at the nest when parents switch places for egg incubation and chick feeding. Bowing. Bowing displays may lessen the likelihood of aggression and strengthen recognition between partners. One or both of the penguins dips its head and points its bill at the nest or at the other bird's bill.

The call is a low hiss or growl Crested penguins may vibrate their bills while pointing in a type of display called "quivering." Emperor and king penguins are the only known marine birds to reflect ultraviolet (UV) light from their bills, and a male king penguin's bill may be used as a cue in finding and selecting a mate. UV light, invisible to the human eye, can be perceived by most birds. UV reflection off the feathers of studied songbirds has been a recognized factor for mate selection. During courtship, king penguin males come face-to-face and flaunt their bills to possible mates. The strong contrast of the black background of their bills is believed to augment UV light reflection. The strong contrasting black background of this king penguin's bill is believed to augment UV light reflection. Most penguin species are monogamous (one male breeds with one female during a mating season); however, research has shown that some females may have one to three partners in one season and some males may have one or two partners. Mate selection is up to the female, and it is the females that compete for the males. In some penguin species, a female selects the same male from the preceding season to mate with.

Adélie penguins have been documented re-pairing with the previous year's mate 62% of the time. Chinstraps re-paired in 82% of possible cases, and gentoos re-paired 90% of the time. In one study of Adélies, females paired with males within minutes of arriving at the colony. When a female selects a different mate it is usually because her mate from the previous season fails to return to the nesting area. Another reason may be mistiming in returning to the nesting area. If they arrive at different times and miss each other, one or both penguins may obtain new mates. Eudyptes penguins are closely related and some in this genus are known to crossbreed with different Eudyptes members. Rockhoppers are known to interbreed with macaroni, royal, and erect-crested penguins, for example, with matings producing hybrid offspring that in some cases have successfully reproduced as well. Nesting Nest site fidelity. Studies have shown that individuals of most penguin species return each year to the same rookeries. In addition, most penguins return to the same nesting site within the rookery.

Studies have indicated that fidelity to the previous year's nest site was 99% for male Adélie penguins, 94% for chinstraps, and 63% for gentoos. Rockhoppers appear to have an amazingly precise breeding timetable, with males returning to the spot of their former nest virtually on the same day each year, regardless if weather or environmental factors have changed from the previous breeding season. Males arrive first to the rookeries to establish and defend their nesting sites. In a study on Adélie and chinstrap penguins, females arrived one day and five days after the males, respectively. When it is time to breed, mature birds return to the rookery where they hatched. This results in large numbers of penguins at a single rookery rather than penguins colonizing new areas. Some penguin rookeries number millions of birds. Various penguin species may share a particular rookery site. It is not uncommon to find gentoos nesting near Adélie and chinstrap penguins for example, but nesting areas within the rookery are kept segregated by each species. Nesting habitats vary among species. Emperor penguins form colonies on the Antarctic continent.

They prefer sites on a fairly level surface of land-fast sea ice sheets in areas sheltered from wind, with easy access to feeding areas. Rookeries must be far enough inland that the ice does not melt under them prior to the chicks being ready to go to sea. King penguins nest and breed on subantarctic and antarctic islands. They prefer beaches and valleys of level ground or gentle slopes, free of snow and ice, and accessible to the sea. Adélies often nest 50 to 60 km (31.1-37.3 mi.) from the edge of the sea ice on the antarctic continent and nearby on rocky islands, peninsulas, beaches, hillsides, valleys, and other areas free of ice. Cape Adare is home to the largest single colony of Adélie penguins with an estimated population of 282,000 breeding pairs. Gentoo penguins nest in-land or on coastal peninsulas and islands. Gentoo penguin colonies can be inland or coastal on antarctic and subantarctic islands and peninsulas. They tend to breed on ice-free ground on beaches, in valleys, on inland hills, and on cliff tops.

Chinstrap penguins nest on fairly steep slopes. Fiordland crested penguins nest in a wet, coastal rain forest habitat, under bushes, between tree roots, in holes, or on rocky coasts among rocks or in caves. Galápagos penguins nest in volcanic caves or cracks in rock. The South Sandwich Islands have the largest population of nesting chinstraps with an estimated 5 million pairs. Temperate penguins nest in underground burrows. The temperate penguins and the little penguin often nest underground in burrows, rock crevices, caves, under shrubs, or in scrapes in the ground. These species breed in areas where the climate can range from tropical to subantarctic. Underground or other sheltered burrows provide an environment with a relatively constant air temperature for the eggs and chicks. Some Humboldt penguins burrow and create nesting sites in guano (fecal) deposits. Nesting materials vary from species to species and from location to location. Adélies build nests of small stones that they use to line depressions in the ground. Some chinstrap and gentoos also construct nests out of stones.

The stones help keep the eggs above the surface when the rookery floods from melting snow. Adélie, gentoo, and chinstrap penguins are known to take stones from other nests. A penguin returning to the nest sometimes brings its mate a stone as a courtship gesture. Chinstrap penguins usually construct nests with perimeters of eight to ten stones, just enough to prevent eggs from rolling away. Gentoo penguins use nesting materials ranging from pebbles and molted feathers in Antarctica to vegetation on subantarctic islands. One medium-sized gentoo nest was composed of 1,700 pebbles and 70 molted tail feathers. Male and female Adélie penguins build their nests out of pebbles, bones, and moss. This gentoo penguin has constructed its nest out of pebbles. Emperor and king penguins build no nests. They stand upright while incubating a single egg on the tops of their feet under a loose fold of abdominal. Under this loose fold is a featherless patch of skin called a brood patch, which occurs in all incubating birds.

The brood patch contains numerous blood vessels that, when engorged with blood, transfer body heat to the eggs. Eggs Eggs may be white to bluish or greenish. The shape varies among species. In Humboldt and Adélie penguins the egg is more or less round. In emperor and king penguins the egg is rather pear-shaped, with one end tapering almost to a point. With this elliptical shape, if an egg falls off of the feet of a parent bird, the egg will roll in a circle instead of away from the parent. Penguin eggs from left to right: gentoo, king, and emperor. Gentoo penguins construct nests; however, king and emperor penguins incubate eggs on the tops of their feet. The elliptical shape fits snugly. In addition, if the egg happens to fall off, it will roll in a circle instead of a straight line away from the parent. Egg size and weight varies with species.

From the records of SeaWorld's successful penguin breeding programs, emperor penguin eggs measure 11.1 to 12.7 cm (4.4-5 in.) long and weigh 345 to 515 g (12.1-18 oz.), and Adélie penguin eggs measure 5.5 to 8.6 cm (2.2-3.4 in.) long and weigh 61 to 153.5 g (2.1-5.4 oz.) A nest of eggs is called a clutch, and with the exception of emperor and king penguins, clutches usually contain two eggs. (Emperor and king penguins lay a single egg.) A clutch with more than one egg presents a better chance of at least one chick surviving. In the Eudyptula, Spheniscus, and Pygoscelis genera, the first-laid egg is generally larger than the second, and usually hatches first (except in the chinstrap species.) Usually the first chick to hatch has the survival advantage since it will already have fed and will be larger by the time the second egg hatches.

The second, usually smaller, chick cannot compete with the larger chick for food and may perish in times of scarce food resources. In the Eudyptes genus, the second-laid egg and the subsequent chick is usually the larger of the two and usually the survivor. It typically hatches first or at the same time as the chick from the first-laid egg. The first-laid egg is often kicked out of the nest by the adults prior to hatching time. The chinstrap and yellow-eyed species usually lay two eggs. Parents typically raise both chicks, which are nearly equal in size. Incubation Incubation is the time spent warming the egg before it hatches. With the exception of emperor penguins, partners take turns incubating eggs, allowing each mate to leave to feed for several days at a time. A female emperor penguin transfers a single egg to the top of her mate's feet. The female goes to sea to feed while the male incubates the egg. She returns several weeks later, usually just before the egg is ready to hatch, to relieve her mate so that he may feed. The male fasts throughout the courtship, nesting, and incubation periods.

He lives off reserves of body fat which may be 3 to 4 cm (1.2-1.6 in.) thick, and loses up to 45% of his body weight. The incubation period varies with species. It may be as short as one month, as in the erect-crested penguins, or as long as 62 to 66 days for emperor penguins. The incubation temperature for penguins is approximately 36°C (96.5°F); it is a bit lower for the larger species. Emperor penguins can maintain an incubation temperature of 31°C (87.8°F) in an environment that is -60°C (-76°F.) The greatest single cause for reproductive failure in some species is the mistiming between parents for nest relief during incubation. This usually occurs when the female fails to return from a foraging trip before the male deserts the nest. A male will spontaneously leave the nest and eggs when the motivation to feed overcomes that for incubating eggs. About Antarctica: Penguins Penguins There are 17 species of penguins some of which are found as far north as the equator.

Penguins are categorized into three families: brush-tail, crested, and king/emperor penguins. Of the 17 species only six are found in Antarctica (Adélies, Chinstraps, Emperors, Gentoos, Macaronis, and Rockhoppers). Penguins often are referred to as "flippered flyers" due to their effortless movement through the water and their possible evolution from gull-like birds. Its believed that 40-50 million years ago, while Antarctica breaking away form Gondwanaland, penguins also were separating to form their own species. Originally, indigenous to warmer climates, penguins adapted to the cold as Antarctica made its move southward. Part of their adaptation to the cold includes oily, unwettable feathers which cover the outer layers of penguins (and what gives that distinguished, well dressed look). Underneath is a layer of soft down feathers and under that a thick layer of fat. This keeps the penguins so warm they will actually fluff their feather to released trapped heat in order to cool down. In addition to their fine attire, penguins are well known for their swimming abilities.

Using their flippers for propulsion and their feet as a rudder, penguins can swim in excess of 12 mph (20 kph). Through the use of air sacs to protect their lungs, penguins can stay under water for 15 to 20 minutes and dive as deep as 275 feet (900 meters). In the water, penguins typically feed on krill and fish. The dietary habits of penguins are relatively easy to monitor. Krill eating penguins excrete pink quano, while those eating fish leave behind white guano. The yolks of penguins eggs often are red denoting the consumption of krill. Although very near-sighted on land, penguins posses exceptional vision in the water. Their eyes, like the many sea animals, are attuned to the colors of the sea--green, blue-green, and violet. They need this excellent vision to avoid leopard seals and killer whales, which are their primary predators in the ocean. On land their arch enemy are skuas (large birds) which snatch penguins chicks from nests. Adélie Penguins Adélies were named after the wife of the English explorer Dumont d'Urville.

They are relatively small birds standing on average 27.5 inches (70 centimeters) high and weighing 10-11 pounds (5 kilos). During the harsh winter months they stay near the outer edges of the pack ice where temperatures are slightly warmer. As summer approaches, they migrate towards the continent and form rookeries ranging in size from under a hundred to hundreds of thousand. Males arriving first attempt to reclaim old nesting spots. Females are presented with pebbles as gifts during the courting process. Adults surviving from one year to the next often mate again. However, this marriage is not permanent; pairs typically separate after five or six years. Immediately after laying her eggs (there's typically 1-2 eggs) the female heads for the open sea to replenish her food storage. The male incubates the eggs for the first 10-15 days while the female is away. Upon her return, the male spends 10-15 days at sea fatten up. The male eventually returns to take the final shift of 3-7 days. During the whole courtship and incubation period, mates will lose up to 45% of their initial body weight.

Chicks stay with their parents for approximately three weeks during which they grow rapidly. After that, they join the other chicks in nurseries called créches. At that time, both parents go to sea to feed. This is the most dangerous time for a chick, skuas circling above continuously raid the nursery for fatten chicks. After four weeks of age, the chicks head for the sea. By late February, the colonies are abandoned. Chinstrap Penguins Chinstraps get their name from the thin line which circles from behind one eye under the chin to behind the other eye, much like a strap on a helmet. They are the same approximate size as Adélies, 27 inches (68 centimeters) high and weighing 10-11 pounds (4.5-5 kilos). Chinstraps appear to prefer slightly warmer waters, only breeding among the islands off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. One of the largest colonies, Bailey's Head, is located on the side of a currently dormant volcano called Deception Island. Estimates place the size of this colony between 500,000-1,000,000+ Chinstrap penguins.

Chinstraps prefer higher, rocky terrain to nest; and although they are similar in size and appearance to the Adélies, Chinstraps mating practices are more aggressive. Early arriving Chinstraps vie for those nest sites free of snow cover. Later arriving males may even drive off nesting couples in order to acquire their site. Once securing a nest, the male waits for his mate from the previous years. If she doesn't arrive in five days, he'll mate with another female. If the original female mate does show up, the guano hits the fan! A battle ensues with the losing female occasionally being tossed down the hillside of colony. Once the eggs are hatched, feeding duties are shared by the pair. After nine weeks, Chinstrap chicks are ready to leave the colony for the open ocean. Emperor Penguins Emperor penguins are the largest of all penguins. The average 44 inches high (1.15 meters) and 66 pounds (30 kilos) in weight. Emperors also are the most colorfully outfitted species. Although they are the least numerous of all species, breeding colonies in excess of 100,000 have been found.

Emperors undergo the most stressful breeding process of all penguins. The breeding season for Emperors begins at the start of the Antarctic winter--late March. As winter approaches, Emperors actually move inland to their traditional colonies and begin pairing. An Emperor seeks his/her mate from the previous by wandering through the colony making bugling call. Upon finding their mate, each penguin repeatedly bows to the other while continuing its bugling and flashing the orange patches on each side of its head. Eggs begin appearing in May (at northern colonies) and late-June or July (in southern colonies). Almost all of the eggs in the colonies are laid within 2-3 weeks of each other; each couple laying only one egg. To keep the egg from freezing on the ice covered ground, Emperors balance the egg on the top of their feet while lower their body over the top of the egg as a blanket. Almost immediately after the egg is laid the female heads for the open sea. She remains there for two months, feeding. The male, having not eaten for the two months during the courting process, incubates the egg for two more months while the female is away.

During this time, the males huddle together in a large mass to stay warm in the midst of brutally cold temperatures--all the while balancing the egg on their feet. Females return at the approximate time the chicks are hatching. At this time, females take over feeding the new born chick while the male leaves to restore his food supply. After three to four weeks, the male returns to assist in the feeding. At seven or eight weeks of age (typically in November/December), the chick are large enough to leave their parents and head for the sea. Over 75% of Emperor parents successfully raise a chick. Gentoo Penguins Gentoo, meaning "turban", refers to the whitish markings behind the eyes of this species. Gentoos range in size from 27 inches high (68 centimeters) and 12 pounds (5.5 kilos) in the south to 30 inches high (71 centimeters) and 13.5 pounds (6.2 kilos) in the north. The 60 degree parallel marks the general separation point between the Gentoos' north and south ranges. Most of their colonies run along the Antarctic Peninsula.

Unlike the Adélies and Chinstraps, Gentoos stay with their mates throughout the year. A mating pair may reuse a previous site, although they typically change from year to the next. Gentoos commonly locate their nesting sites inland. To ease their burden walking to and from the sea, Gentoos establish a common path for everyone. This continuous use wears down the path and makes it easier to use. Gentoo chicks stay with the parents for about eight weeks. During their 9th and 10th weeks, chick return home at night to be fed. Should the mating pair lose their first clutch of eggs, a second set is laid if earlier enough in the season. Macaroni Penguins Macaronis earn their by the ornate yellow plumage above each eye. They were named after flamboyant dressers in the 18th century who were called "Macaroni Dandies"--just like in the song "Yankee Doodle". Macaronis are similar in size and stature to the Adélies and Chinstrap penguins. On average, they stand 27.5 inches tall (70 centimeters) and weigh 9 pounds (4.2 kilos).

Their typically frequent the island around Antarctica and don't venture onto the main continent. Their largest colonies are found in South Georgia and Heard Island. Breeding season for Macaronis begins in December when mating pairs lay two eggs. The first typically is half the size of the second egg and rarely does the first egg produce a chick. The larger egg incubates for approximately 35 days. After the chick hatches, the female goes to sea and periodically returns with food for the family. After a couple of weeks, the chick is large enough for both parents to collect food at sea. By March, the chick generally is large enough to leave the colony. Rockhopper Penguins Rockhoppers are the smallest of the penguins in Antarctica. They measure only 21.5 inches high (55 centimeters) and weigh only 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilos). Similar to Macaronis, Rockhoppers have a feathered crest on top of their heads. Although frequently found among Macaronis, this specie is much more aggressive. Their colonies are found among rocky slopes of islands out near the Antarctic Convergence. Two eggs are typically laid, one smaller and one larger.

To the next section: Review Activity | To Session Two - Intro | To About Antarctica Home (The Review Exercise requires Netscape 2.x or Internet Explorer 3.x or higher to use). Emperor Penguins Breeding | Emperor Penguins Reproduction Types of Penguins With the exception of one species, penguins breed once a year. Most gather at their nesting colonies in late spring to mate and lay their eggs, rearing their young so they are ready to swim by the summer. The Emperor penguins incubate their eggs through winter. To a certain time of year, the penguins run to the ground (platform of rock or ice), to deposit eggs. The female deposits one egg. Emperor penguins don’t build nests they put the egg on the folds of skin on the feet. Among couples of penguins there is loyalty, and “divorce” occurs in only 25% of cases the cause of such separation is due to the poor reproduction. Breeding Each species of penguin has a different breeding cycle, behavior pattern and nesting habitat. The Largest penguin, The Emperor breeds during the perpetual darkness of the Antarctic winter.

In April and May the Emperor penguins gather at rookeries and begin courting, displaying to each other their orange ear patches. They do not build nests or defend territories. The female emperor penguin lays a single egg which is carried on the feet and covered with a fold of skin. At first the male and female share in the incubation of the egg, but after a few days the female leaves the male in charge and waddle off across the ice to feed in open waters. It is quite common to see two adults keeping company, as seen on the right, while the other partner is feeding at sea. The chicks poking their heads out will be 5 – 6 weeks old. At 6 – 9 weeks the chicks are allowed to run free, but are very vulnerable to the adverse climatic conditions, and high mortalities due to exposure and starvation occur during prolonged blizzards. The 6- 7 week old chicks seen below, however look like attractive individuals. The Emperor goes to North AS with the Adele penguins, emperor penguins are found around the coasts and neighboring seas of Antarctica. In summer they leave to feed in more northern waters.

The emperors, as winter approaches, move south to the breeding rookeries on the ice or on small islets just off the coast of Antarctica. Up to 1947 only two colonies had been found, one in 1902 and other in 1912, so it was presumed that the emperor penguin was a dying species that could not stand up to its harsh environment. This idea was supported by knowledge of high loss of eggs and chicks. It is now known that the high death rate was due to the ice breaking up and throwing the eggs and chicks into the water. In fact, emperor penguins are very well fitted for life under what the early Antarctic explores had thought to be impossible conditions. The emperor penguin is by no means a dying species. Nests and Breeding King and Emperor Penguins are unique in that they have no need of nest since they incubate their single egg on top of their feet. In all other species the nest is the focus of the breeding effort. If two or more species are nesting within the same colony they usually have distinct preferences in their choice of site to maintain contact with their own species yet reduce competition between species. Eggs King and Emperor Penguins lay only a single egg.

Necessitated by their method of incubation. Almost as soon as the egg is laid the male scoops it up from the female. He places it on top of his feet and covers it with a thick warm fold of belly skin, which is rich is richly endowed with blood vessels. Emperors, have been seen to perform extraordinary feats of athleticism, even managing to scratch their head with one foot while balancing on the other and with the egg still safely tucked away in their abdominal pouch. Incubation The 200.000 pair of Emperor Penguins in the world are distributed amongst 35 colonies around the Antarctic continent where they demonstrate quite the most astonishing breeding cycle of any bird. As the Antarctica winter sets in – March, or in some places a few weeks later – the Emperors, weight down with fat, take up their stations on the sea ice. After a month or so of courtship the ice has set fast and the open sea is 60 miles (97 km) away. In early May the female lays her egg, leave it with her mate and begins her trek back to sea, not having fed for several weeks she has lost a quarter of her body weigh.

Astonishingly the male remains at his post to see the egg through to hatching, enduring the worst that the Antarctic winter has to offer. The Emperor penguin incubation is shared by both sexes though the female may sometimes play the more major role. Brooding Chicks Brooding in the freezer Emperor penguins have a really tough time during incubation. While most species spend a few weeks keeping their eggs warm before they hatch, emperors do this for more than two months. The timing of their breeding season means that they incubate during the sunless Antarctic winter, When temperatures can drop as low as – 76F (-60C),and winds howl at up to 125 mph (200km/h). Only the male Emperor penguin incubates. A penguin chick takes a full day to break out of its shell; kings and Emperors may take two or three days. Being covered with only a thin layer of down at first the chick or chicks have to be brooded by the parents for several weeks until they are able to regulate their own body temperatures.

The period varies from two weeks in small penguins, three weeks in most medium- sized penguins, and six or seven weeks in Yellow–Eyes, Kings and Emperors. Thereafter the chicks are left on their own for much of the time and both parents are free to forage at the sea. The chicks may congregate into crèches, the size of which varies between species – from thousands in kings and Emperors to only a few birds in little penguins, while others burrow – nesting species do not exhibit the habit at all. Crèches serve to reduce predation by skuas and giant petrels but in Emperor and King Penguins their main function is to enhance chick survival against the cold. Chicks recognize the call of their parents returning with food and are never fed by any other. The Emperor penguin growth rate is the longest; their chicks are fledging at about up to 100 days and even longer. Emperor Penguins have timed egg – laying for incubation to take place over winter so that the chicks hatch and grow during the short Antarctica summer. The hatching the chick is almost naked, dark gray and leathery, although it’s down coat grows in quickly.

By the third week it is, according to a biologist, grotesquely fat, pyramidal in shape and hung about with loose folds of skin. At five or six weeks it is too big to shelter under the adult’s belly and joins a crèche. ï¿½ï¿½ By now winter is setting in visits from the parents with food become less and less frequent and often stopping altogether. From May until August – the coldest times and the meals might be meager. Many are not fed at all and the chicks have to live on their fat reserves. Like their cousins, the Emperors gain some insulation from their body fat and dense plumage but more and more come to rely on conserving as much energy as possible by slowing down metabolism, restricting all unnecessary movement and huddling tightly together against cold and storms. They stand to lose an incredible 70% of their body weight and if they are not at least 15lb (7kg) at the start of the winter they will not survive. Life cycle Juvenile penguins are Vulnerable to all sorts of dangers once they fledge and its reckoned that half may die in their first few months at sea.

During this time they may range far from the colony, one little penguin traveling 23miles(37km) in only three days and others being found up to 600 miles(966km) away. If they survive their first year or two at sea, the young birds begin to return to the colony. Older penguins can be more faithful to their mate – if both survive the winter. In some species, and in good years, 90% of pairs remain together, often over many years (13 in the case of two yellow-eyes). In Kings and Emperors this is lower, at 15- 30%,probably because their breeding strategy gives such minimal contact with each other that they fail to form strong bonds. Captive Emperor have lived to be 34; few wild penguins expect to reach such a ripe old age. Eggs on the feet Emperor penguins build no nest at all and lay a single egg. They warm or incubate the egg on their and cover it with flap of skin In April and May the emperor penguins gather at the rookeries and begin courting, displaying their brilliant orange ear – patches to each other.

We know that these ear- patches are important because if they are covered with black paint a penguin stands no chance of getting a mate. At the rookery there is none of the squabbling and bickering that accompanies the nesting of Adelie penguins. There is nothing to argue about, for emperors do not build nests and have nothing to defend. Each female lays one large egg which is carried on the feet and covered with a fold of skin. At first the male and female share in incubating the eggs. Neither seems very keen on having it and it is passed to and fro between the two parents. Any eggs left lying about after this inter – play are ignored. There is a value in this; it prevents a penguin from standing over lifeless, frozen eggs for the long 2 months incubation period, all to no avail. ï¿½ A few days after the eggs has been laid the female leaves waddling off across the ice to feed in open water to the north. The behavior of the male left guardian the eggs now changes. Any egg that becomes separated from its parents is hastily picked up by any adult that has none of its own. In this way it stands a chance of being rescued before it freezes.

Huddling through a 2 months fast Balances their eggs on their feet, the male penguins shuffle about the rookery. During blizzards and very cold spells when the temperature may drop to – 80 C/ - 110F, they huddle together, each penguin resting its bill on the bird in front. In this way they keep warm, conserving heat which would otherwise have to be supplied by using up their blubber. This has to last until the females’ return after the chicks have hatched 2 months later. As a penguin on the outside of the huddle gets cold, it forces its way into shelter it from the wind. In August, as the chicks are hatching, the females return. They are now padded with blubber and their crops are filled with fish for the chicks. If, however, the females are late, the males feed the chicks on a fluid secreted from lining of their stomachs. The female do not return to their mates, for the link between them was completely broken as soon as they left their eggs. Each female penguin wanders from male to male until one allows her to take his chick to feed and brood.

Now the males trudge off over the ice to find open water where they can gorge themselves and restore the layer of blubber they lost while incubating. Bringing Up the baby Penguins chicks hatch from the egg already covered in a fine coat of down but with their eyelids sealed together. They chip through the thick shell with the help of an egg tooth, a short, sharp spike on the end of beak. The egg tooth drops off soon after hatching. Why they breed in winter The babies of Emperor penguins are hatched in the worst weather on earth. Female Emperors lay their eggs during the coldest months of the Antarctic winter. Then the males balance the eggs on their feet and keep them warm for six very cold weeks. The males huddle together for warmth. Blizzard winds of 120 miles per hour may blow, and the temperature may drop 80 degrees below zero(Fahrenheit). As the chicks grow older they come out from under the adults and huddle in crèches. Now all the adults are freed to collect the food that the rapidly growing chicks need in large quantities. They are helped in this by the ice breaking up, so they do not have to travel so far to the sea.

By January, just after midsummer, the chicks shed their coats of down to reveal the adult plumage. They now leave the rookeries to fend for themselves. This description of the breeding habits of Emperor Penguins shows why they have to breed through the winter. The chicks have to be independent by January or February, when the Antarctic seas are teeming with life, and before the winter sets in again. As they take some 7 or 8 months from egg laying to maturity, it is necessary for the adults to begin breeding in the winter. Further more, the emperor penguins are well fitted for living under what are harsh conditions to humans brought up in temperature climates. They are adapted to cope with these conditions; their lack of aggression allows the males to huddle together for warmth and by being relatively inactive they can fast for 2 months or more. Penguin egg Each mother penguin lays one egg. The father scoops the egg onto his feet. The egg fits under a flap of his belly skin. Then mother goes back to the sea. Father keeps the egg on his feet for two months. Father stand very close together. They keep each other warm while they keep their eggs warm. The eggs hatch after about one or two months.

Tiny, down covered chicks emerge. Their soft, fluffy feathers are not waterproof, so the chicks must stay out of the ocean. They wait for their parents to bring them food. The chicks need their parents to keep them warm. They depend totally on their mother and father until waterproof feathers replace their fluffy down coats. When that finally happens, the chicks go to sea and find food on their own. Penguins chicks are hungry from the moment they arrive in the world. One day the little baby penguin break out of their shells and comes out. These baby penguins are called chicks. The father makes a kind of milk in his throat. He feeds his hungry chick. The chicks are covered with soft, fluffy down. Chicks stay warm on its father’s feet. When the mother comes back to feed her new chick, the father penguin gets to go to the sea. The father has not eaten for over three months. Soon the fathers penguin is full he goes back to his family on land. Both parents feed the penguin chick. When the little penguin is 5 (five) months old, it will go the sea for the first time.

Reproduction The Mating systems: In March or early April the emperor penguins goes to colonial nesting areas, when the formation of a pair and breeding occurs. Towards May or in the early June a large single egg (460 – 470 g.)is laid and it is passed to the male parent penguin for incubation. The female penguin returns to the sea until the end of incubation. In the emperor penguins colonies the egg and hatching occurring at the same time. The incubation and brooding time occurs in the Antarctica winter –severe- frigid conditions in this planet. Protection from parents is critical. The parental protection of the eggs and of the hatchlings is critical, because the incubation and the brood take place during the depths of the Antarctic winter in some of the most severe conditions in the planet. The exhibition of the eggs and of the hatchlings to the coldness can lead to the quick death. The young chicks grow rapidly. Courtship and reproduction Reproduction: Every year, thousands of emperor emperors go in a long journey in the centre of the frozen continent to multiply. The couples are formed, mate and, within some weeks, the female lays only one egg.

She leaves it with the male and faces a journey of 80 km towards the sea, to be fed. The male penguins heat the egg with his bodies and protect it of the coldness during two months, without eating. The babies are born and the females return, fed. They regurgitate the food to feed the small penguins, and then it is the time of the males go to the sea for food, while the mothers assume the cares for the baby penguin. While they grow, the penguins are joined in groups called "crèches". When they reach the independence, they carry out his first journey and are going for the sea to fish for its own. The chicks eat food that is stored in their parents’ throats. To find the food, the baby penguins stick their heads deep into their parents’ mouths. Penguins in Antarctica Adelie, Chinstrap, Gentoo, Macaroni, and Emperor Penguins are unique birds in that they do not fly. Their wings are adapted as swimming flippers by their wing bones being flattened and rather solidly joined so that they are very useful for swimming (up to 30 miles per hour). Penguins often look like they are flying when viewed under water.

Most penguins spend the majority of their life at sea and return to land to reproduce. Getting to and from their reproductive areas (called rookeries) on land can be quite a walk but when there is snow to traverse, they often sled downhill to make quick descents. On land, penguins walk (often in straight lines) to and from the ocean between their nesting colonies and their feeding grounds in the ocean (left). These trips can be only a few hundred yards over rocky beaches (like the picture above left) or they can be miles inland, often over snow and ice. Penguins tend to follow the same paths to and from the ocean to feed and bathe. When there is snow in their path they leave footprints (right). Most penguin species spend the year at sea without staying with their mate, returning each summer to their original breeding grounds and often to their original mate. The numbers of Antarctic penguins has been increasing over the years, a result perhaps of the decrease (from whaling) in the number of baleen whales visiting Antarctica. Without so many baleen whales (krill eaters) visiting Antarctica the krill population has increased and there is more food than ever before for the antarctic penguins.

There are 17 species of penguins on Earth, six of which can be found in Antarctica - three brush-tailed, (genus Pygoscelis) - the Adelie, chinstrap, and gentoo; one crested (genus Eudyptes) - the macaroni; and two species of Aptenodytes - the king and emperor. Adelie Penguins (left) Adelie penguin. (right) Adelie penguin rookery. The Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) was named after the wife of one of the early Antarctic explorers (Dumont D'Urville). This small penguin (rarely over 11 pounds) nests on rocky areas that are free of snow in the summer. Adults return to the same rookery (nesting area) where they were born and build nests out of pebbles. The giving of pebbles to the female by the male is part of the nesting courtship. Nesting pairs may stay together for six years although each year about half the birds change their mate. Eggs are laid in November and chicks hatch in December.

The females lay two eggs and the parents take turns incubating the eggs. When they hatch they are fed by the parents who take turns both feeding and watching the chicks very closely for their first several weeks. Unattended chicks are vulnerable to predators, especially the Skua. The rookeries are busy places as parents attend their chicks keeping them well fed, protected, and their nests in order. Nearby there is always a line of penguins coming to and from the ocean as the parents take turns leaving the rookery to feed on krill, returning to either incubate the eggs or feed the growing babies. The nests are quickly stained with pink guano (from the pink krill that they are feeding on). (left) Adelie penguin incubating an egg. (right) Adelie penguin feeding its chick regurgitated krill. The Adelies have an all black head. After only four weeks, the chicks molt their charcoal downy coat and grow the dense, waterproof feathers that allow them to leave the rookery and begin their lives feeding for themselves.

Chinstrap Penguins With a distinctive thin black stripe under their chin, the chinstrap penguin resembles the numerous Adelie penguins but is easily distinguished by their "chinstrap." These penguins also feed on krill. They are scientifically named Pygoscelis antarctica. Their chicks take about nine weeks before they are ready to go to sea. Chinstraps are more aggressive than the Adelies in their breeding behavior. (left) Chinstrap penguin. (right) Brood patch exposed on chinstrap parent. The males occupy the rookeries first, the dominant males selecting the best breeding sites and driving away other, less aggressive birds. If the previous year's mate does not arrive within five days, the male will mate with another female. Should the previous year's female arrive late then there may be a fight between the females with the strongest female winning. Chinstrap nests resemble Adelie nests with the pebbles piled up by the couple. The female, in preparation for egg laying, makes a depression in the middle of the nest. This pebble nest serves to keep the eggs off the ground and allow melt water to run through.

There is such a small window of time for breeding that the arriving penguins must build their nests immediately when they arrive, they can only use bare ground. If the snow melt is late then the areas for nest building are restricted. (left) Chinstrap egg hatching - notice the crack. (right) Baby chinstrap emerging from egg. (left) Chinstrap penguin chicks. (right) Chinstrap parent feeding chick. Gentoo Penguins The colorful orange bill (and white spot on the head) of the gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua, sets them apart from other penguin species. Their breeding habits are similar to Adelies and chinstraps - they return to the same rookeries each year, building nests of pebbles on bare ground, and laying two eggs. The chicks are ready to go to sea at eight weeks but they return each evening to be fed by their parents for an additional two weeks. Gentoo penguin rookery. (left) A gentoo male presenting his female with a precious rock for their nest. (right) Gentoo parent incubating an egg. It is only in good years that the majority of mating brushtails are able to successfully raise two healthy chicks.

During their short reproductive time, during the summer, there may be the occasional summer snow storm creating additional melt water and problems for the parents trying to keep their eggs and babies warm and dry. (left) Gentoo parent with a newly hatched chick. (right) Gentoo parent with two nearly grown chicks. Gentoo parent feeding a chick. These healthy chicks are only weeks from being on their own. Note the bulging crop on the second chick! A snow field may separate the rookery from the ocean so the parents actually create "trails" in the snow as they walk to and from their nests, the parents taking turns caring for the babies and bringing food. Gentoos have typical penguin feet, well adapted to walking over rough rocky terrain and snow. Their tough, fat feet have sharp nails for clinging to rock and digging into the snow. This species is different than other brushtail penguins in that the mated pairs usually stay together throughout the year. They are also a little bigger and shyer than other brushtails. (left) 'Penguin trails' through the snow - from the ocean to the rookery. (right) Penguin feet are callused and tough for walking through snow and on rocks.

Macaroni Penguins The largest of the crested penguins, the macaroni penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus, has distinctive yellow feathers along its brow. This species was named after a group of flamboyant dressing men (often with dyed hair) of the 1700s who traveled from England to Italy (and ate pasta) and were called 'Macaroni Dandies'. Do you remember the children's song called Yankee Doodle � "stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni"? The nesting behavior of macaronis is uniquely different than the brushtail penguins. Although they have the same pebble nests, this species usually rears only one chick each season but lays two eggs. The first egg is smaller and darker than the second egg. It is pushed aside and usually does not develop although it is fertile. This purposeful waste of energy does not appear to have any adaptive value for this species. This macaroni chick came from the larger egg. There is no trace of the smaller, darker egg - probably having been eaten by marauding brown skua birds. (left) Macaroni penguin incubating the second egg.

(right) Macaroni penguin chick. Emperor Penguins The largest of the penguins on Earth, the emperor penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri,stands almost four feet high. Although these birds are very large, they have very unusual reproductive habits - they breed in the middle of the Antarctic winter, the most violent weather known on Earth. Other Antarctic penguins breed during the Antarctic summer, building pebble nests on the few rocky headlands available when the snow melts back. Most emperors breed on sea ice, often walking miles inland on the ice. There is no nest for the emperors, the female lays a single egg and it is immediately taken by the male, put on top of his feet, and he snuggles down over it and incubates it. The females leave the males to do all the incubation during the two months of egg development. The males rock back on their heels (to keep the greatest surface area of their feet off the ice) and huddle together for protection during the fierce Antarctic winter storms. They can loose almost 1/5 of their body weight during this time but they wait patiently for the return of their mate.

The females return right when the chicks hatch just in time to relieve the male and feed the newborn regurgitated krill. The weak males then return to the ocean, feed and come back to begin taking turns with their mate. The emperors go back and forth between the ice rookery and the ocean until their baby is ready to be on its own. In very cold years the distance to the ocean may be considerable and make it difficult for the emperors - which often results in poor reproductive years. In abnormally warm years the sea ice can break up and melt before the chicks are ready and this also results in reproductive catastrophes. All in all, the emperor penguin has picked the time and place of the worst weather on Earth to breed and has become successfully adapted. It is speculated that the time it takes to fledge such a large bird could not be accomplished during the Antarctic summer and so their winter reproduction puts their chicks ready to be on their own at the height of the Antarctic summer - during the big krill bloom and thus with abundant food. This may be the most important reason for the male emperors waiting out the two months of solid darkness, in the wild Antarctic storms just to incubate their single egg.

Also, there are virtually no predators during the Antarctic winter to interfere with the reproductive process - oh, but what they put up with to achieve this is heroic. Not a single emperor penguin was sited during the author's trip because the trip was during the Antarctic summer so there are no photographs of emperors in this presentation. Below is an excellent drawing of a king penguin done by Alexa Birk. King penguins are very close in color and form to emperor penguins. (Revised 27 January 2004) Emperor Penguins Habitat Emperor Penguins Habitat Wildlife Emperor Penguins Habitat The Emperor penguins habitat is limited to the Antarctic and the surrounding sea, and unlike many other penguin species the Emperor penguins can rarely be found anywhere else in the world (unless they have been transported by man). The Emperor penguin is a marine bird, and it will only hunt in the ocean. It uses the Antarctic continent as a breeding ground since their offspring need hatch and to grow sturdy before it can venture into the ocean. The breeding grounds for Emperor penguins are often referred to as rookeries. The courting birds will try to find a spot sheltered by an ice cliff in the Emperor penguins habitat, and use this as a breeding ground.

The female Emperor penguin will lay her egg in May or June during the severe Antarctic winter when the ocean around the Emperor penguins habitat is still frozen. It is however important that the penguins select a breeding ground several miles inland, since the ice will start to melt before the chick is ready to venture into the ocean. The male will incubate the egg for around 65 days, and even after the hatching the chick needs to stay on land and be feed by its parents. Antarctica, the continent on which you will find the Emperor penguins habitat, is located at the southern extreme of planet Earth and contains the South Pole. The Emperor penguins habitat is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. The Antarctic mainland is divided into two parts by the Transantarctic mountain range. In the Emperor penguins habitat you will find and impressive collection of extreme conditions. On average, Antarctica is the not only the coldest, but also the driest, highest and windiest of all the continents. 98 percent of the Emperor penguins habitat is covered in ice, but since the annual precipitation is extremely low, Antarctica is technically a desert. It is in fact the largest desert of them all.

Antarctica comprises 14 million square kilometres (almost 5,500,000 square miles), while Sahara only covers approximately 9 million square kilometers (almost 3,500,000 square miles). The Emperor penguins habitat is a harsh one where only a few sturdy and cold-tolerant species manage to survive. The Emperor penguins share their habitat with a few other penguin species, seals, sea birds, lichens, mosses and many different algae species. The Emperor penguins have developed fascinating anatomic features that help them to survive in the unforgiving Emperor penguins habitat. Its entire body shape is actually an adaptation to the Emperor penguins habitat, since it is carried low to the ground, a style which decreases the amount of cold air that can circulate around it. The plumage is unusually thick and contains around two dozen feathers for every square inch. These feathers can trap a lot of insulating air since they are short and stiff, closely overlap each other and have a downy base. The size of the nasal passages of the Emperor penguin has been reduced to a minimum in order to leak as little heat as possible.

The Emperor penguins habitat contains no traditional human settlements, only scattered scientific bases. The Emperor penguins habitat is still comparatively unharmed by man, but our activities do affect the life of the Emperor penguin. Pollution and over fishing can naturally be harmful to the Emperor penguin population, and increased activity in the polar region could therefore be dangerous for these animals. The same is true for pollution that gradually finds its way to the polar region, e.g. by begin accumulated in the food chain, or over fishing in other parts of the world that has an impact on the polar underwater fauna. Penguins | Basic Facts About Penguins | Defenders of Wildlife Penguins Basic Facts About Penguins Penguins are aquatic, flightless birds that are highly adapted to life in the water. Their distinct tuxedo-like appearance is called countershading, a form of camouflage that helps keep them safe in the water. Penguins do have wing-bones, though they are flipper-like and extremely suited to swimming. Penguins are found almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, where they catch their food underwater and raise their young on land. © Joan Cambray Diet Staples: Krill, fish and squid.

In general, penguins closer to the equator eat more fish and penguins closer to Antarctica eat more squid and krill. Population Did You Know? Larger penguin species are found in colder climates where their large body mass enables them to cope with the conditions, while smaller penguins inhabit warmer climes. The penguin species with the highest population is the Macaroni penguin with 11,654,000 pairs. The species with the lowest population is the endangered Galapagos penguin with between 6,000-15,000 individuals. Range Penguins can be found on every continent in the Southern Hemisphere from the tropical Galapagos Islands (the Galapagos penguin) located near South America to Antarctica (the emperor penguin). Behavoir Penguins can spend up to 75% of their lives in the water. They do all of their hunting in the water. Their prey can be found within 60 feet of the surface, so penguins have no need to swim in deep water. They catch prey in their beaks and swallow them whole as they swim. Some species only leave the water for molting and breeding. Did You Know?

The emperor penguin breeds in the coldest environment of any bird species; air temperatures may reach -40° (F/C), and wind speeds may reach 89 miles per hour (144 km/hr)! Penguins are social birds. Many species feed, swim and nest in groups. During the breeding season, some species form large groups, or “rookeries”, that include thousands of penguins. Each penguin has a distinct call, allowing individuals to find their mate and their chicks even in large groups. Reproduction Mating Season: Varies depending on the species, though most breed during spring and summer. Incubation: Varies from 1 month-66 days depending on the species. Number of offspring: King and emperor penguins lay one egg. All other species of penguin lay two eggs.

Question: What's the name for a penguin's breeding ground?
Answer: Rookery