Emperor Penguin - Aptenodytes Forsteri
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Distinguishing features
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Largest of all the penguins, could only be confused with a King Penguin,
but the location should be a give away. Emperors are only found on and
around the Antarctic continent; Kings are found further north. To tell
an Emperor from a King notice that the tear-drop shaped ear patches are
yellow on Emperors and are open. Kings have orange ear patches that are
closed.
Chicks have distinctive grey and black plumage. |
Height
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Adult Emperor penguins are typically 1.2 metres tall. Juveniles are
slightly shorter, only about 90cm to 1m |
Weight
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Emperors weigh around 30 to 40kg, their weight varies a great deal
during the year. Males can lose about half their body weight while incubating
eggs in the Antarctic winter |
Breeding locations
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Emperors breed on the fast ice all round the Antarctic continent. The
total breeding population is estimated to be 195,000 pairs. |
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| Nesting behaviour |
Females lay a single egg onto their feet and transfer it immediately
to the male who incubates it on his feet underneath a fold of abdominal
skin, throughout the Antarctic winter. Temperatures can drop as low as
-70°C but they stick with the task! |
| Principal diet |
Emperors take various antarctic fish as well as crustaceans such as
krill etc. |
