| The Emperor Penguin is most noted for its size, | | | | move from the center of this huddle toward the |
| reaching up to four feet in height, making it the | | | | outer edges to give each penguin the warmth of the |
| tallest penguin of its species. Its stomach is white and | | | | middle. This process allows for them to survive the |
| its wings and back are black, lending its trademark | | | | brutal temperatures in the Antarctic. |
| "tuxedo look." Although penguins have wings they do | | | | After the male has the egg, the female is free to |
| not fly, but swim through the water at an average | | | | travel to get food. She returns after about two |
| speed of four to six miles per hour, with possible | | | | months. After her arrival she is able to regurgitate |
| bursts of up to twelve miles per hour. Although | | | | the food for the young chick when it hatches. If the |
| water mixed with cold temperatures causes humans | | | | chick is born before the female returns, the male is |
| to experience hypothermia and even death, penguins | | | | able to produce a milky substance from his |
| have a preen gland which secretes an oil that they | | | | esophagus to keep his young alive. When the female |
| use to coat their feathers with so water will run off | | | | returns to care for her young, the male is then free |
| of them. | | | | to go in search of food. |
| Emperor Penguins live in the coldest region of any | | | | While it may seem unnatural for a species to |
| other penguin on earth. They not only survive, but | | | | reproduce in such extreme weather conditions, in |
| reproduce and thrive where other penguins cannot. | | | | actuality winter is the ideal season for reproduction |
| Adult Emperor Penguins travel about sixty miles into | | | | because there is less competition for food. Emperor |
| Antarctica for breeding season. Although cold | | | | Penguin chicks are larger than other penguin species |
| temperatures are a threat to the survival of other | | | | and an adequate diet is essential for their survival. |
| penguins and their eggs, the Emperor Penguin has | | | | Only in the harsh days of winter is there enough |
| characteristics that allow them to keep warm, | | | | food for them. Emperor Penguins diet consists mainly |
| notwithstanding below freezing temperatures and | | | | of cephlapods, such as octopus and squid, but they |
| high winds. | | | | also eat krill and fish. Their threat for survival is not |
| After searching for a mate, the female lays a single | | | | only freezing in the cold temperatures, but also |
| egg in the months of May or June. After laying the | | | | natural predators such as sea lions, Orca Whales and |
| egg, the female will carefully pass the egg to the | | | | sharks. Although global warming has raised concerns |
| male to incubate until it hatches. This process is | | | | for Emperor Penguins, there is thought to be an |
| carefully executed so the egg does not have any | | | | estimated 350,000 of them in the world. |
| contact with the ice where it would immediately die | | | | Survival in Antarctica seems impossible, yet the |
| voiding the couple's attempt at reproduction that | | | | Emperor Penguin continues to thrive in these freezing |
| year. When the male successfully receives the egg | | | | temperatures. Their physical characteristics, instincts |
| he incubates it above his feet in a flap of skin called a | | | | and socialization allow for them to continue to |
| brood pouch. In order to stay warm in the extreme | | | | reproduce and thrive in a climate that would |
| temperatures, Emperor Penguins form large groups | | | | otherwise be deadly. |
| and huddle together. They instinctively know when to | | | | |