Emperor Penguins

The Emperor penguins are the largest of the different kinds of species that are present in the cold waters of the Antarctic. This is also the only kind of species that breeds in the winters of the Antarctic. An adult Emperor penguin can stand upto 115 cm in height. These are also certain distinct features and behavioral patterns of the Emperor penguins.

Facts about Emperor Penguins:

• When it comes to keeping themselves warm, the Emperor Penguins are known to use very clever ideas. Here, the Emperor penguins clump together in a mass and take their turns moving to the inside of the group. This protects them from the icy cold temperatures and keeps them warm.
• Emperor penguins have colorful feathers around their necks and heads. These have yellow ear patches that fade into the white of the breast feathers. In case of Emperor penguin chicks, they have a distinctive plumage with a large face patch, which is white in color.
• The winter season arrives in the month of March in Antarctica. Almost all creatures are known to leave the area except the Emperor penguins, because this is the only animal that spends the winter season breeding on the freezing ice.
• The Emperor penguins are known to use a distinctive set of sounds to establish the individual identity. These are different when it comes to the parents and the offsprings.
• The female Emperor penguin lays a single egg and leaves it to travel the open sea. The female Emperor penguins are known to travel upto 50 miles. The male Emperor penguin takes care of the egg by balancing it on his feet. The egg is covered with the brood pouch, which keeps the eggs warm. During this time, the Emperor penguins are known to be almost without any food intake for about 65 days.
• The female Emperor penguins are known to return after two months from the sea. This is the time they come with food to feed the hatched chicks. With the arrival of the female emperor penguins, the male Emperor penguins then leave for the sea to hunt on their own. This is time when the female Emperor penguins take care of the young ones in the brood pouch.
• The Emperor penguins usually feed on fish, krill and squid. Their dives are the longest and even the deepest as compared to any other species of penguins. They are known to dive to a depth of 1,800 feet. This is what enables them to source food which other birds cannot even have access to.
• The Emperor penguins are known to stay faithful to their partners. They mate once a year and many times end up with other partners the next year if they are unable to locate their previous partners.
• The adult penguins are known to leave their young ones in a group of chicks, which are called crèches. This is done when they need to go and fish in the deep waters.
• This species are also known to be very social in their behavior. This is the reason why they are also seen huddled together sometimes to keep themselves warm.
• The Emperor penguin is known to reach the sexual maturity at around 5 years of age. They are known to begin their courtship around the months of March or April and are also known to travel over 50 miles inland to their breeding sites.
• These species are also very good swimmers and have a hydro dynamically shaped body. This is what helps them in the diving process and also makes it easy to find food for itself. These creatures are known to be very graceful and extremely fast in the water. These are also known to hold their breath for upto 20 minutes when they are swimming in the cold waters.
• There is also a certain kind of a hierarchy amongst the Emperor penguins. The penguins always follow the leader.