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Emperor Penguins: Antarctica, Habitat, Reproduction, Baby Penguins And Films
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Published: October 23, 2007
Most birds are known for flight, but some of the most interesting birds never leave the ground. The emperor penguin is one such bird. The warm-blooded bird lives in the coldest habitat, yet is the largest among penguins. Emperor penguins are mostly found in Antarctica and live in groups around the edges of the cold continent.
Antarctica's habitat makes reproduction difficult and baby penguins are only born after careful planning and care. So much is known about emperor penguins because they have been frequently researched and showcased in modern films.
Emperor penguins live an average of 20 years. Adults grow to be 3 to 4 feet tall and weigh between 60-90 pounds. Their large size is partly because emperor penguins retain a thick layer of fat or blubber throughout their bodies. They maintain this layer because the food they eat also has high fat content. Fish, squid and krill are among the items in the carnivore's diet. Diet is important to emperor penguins because their yearly routine includes fasting, for periods up to 115 days. This ability to survive on food reserves makes emperor penguins one of the most studied species.
Another unique aspect of emperor penguins is that different levels of internal temperature regulate their bodies. The warm-blooded birds keep their extremities very cold, almost the same temperature as the external temperature. Only the core or center of an emperor penguin is kept warm. This constant warm temperature is maintained throughout the brutally cold weather in Antarctica. Because of the extreme cold, emperor penguins are usually found living in groups. During foraging and mating seasons, emperor penguins can be found huddling together in groups of 10 to 100.
Huddling together is necessary for the safety of baby penguins. Reproduction among emperor penguins is done between a male and female who mate for the season, not for life. Many can not find their previous partners, and choose another. After this single reproduction, the egg must be placed in an incubated nest. Mistreatment of the egg results in over one third breaking and not resulting in a successful birth. Males and females take turns protecting the egg from the cold, since incubating is done during the coldest part of the year. Once hatched, baby penguins are able to find and stay with their parents through voice recognition. The capacity for the high level of voice identification so soon after birth is a noteworthy aspect of the emperor penguin.
Another little known fact about the emperor penguin is the use and effectiveness of its outer color. The black and white penguins are counter shaded to provide a form of protection when in water. The colors allow for camouflaging in deep waters, to which emperor penguins are no strangers. With their slick feathers, stiff bodies and spindle shape; emperor penguins have been known to dive up to 1700 feet into water. This ability shocks some people who only know penguins for their awkward waddle. Though poor walkers, the diving and swimming of emperor penguins is impressive. They have a lot of endurance which helps the swimming and sliding of penguins. Sliding is done when emperor penguins use their webbed feet to glide over ice. The speed of the sliding can reach up to 5 miles per hour.
The final specifics of the emperor penguin are their body components. With 70 feathers per square inch, emperor penguins are required to molt once a year, to allow for new feathers. These feathers become water-proof when oil is secreted from the penguins bodies. The feathers on the back of emperor penguins are black, accompanying black webbed feet and a black bill. The penguins have white feathers in front, with some yellow near the neck and on the side of the head.
This description should sound familiar to many, as films have recently made emperor penguins very popular. “March of the Penguins” is one recent film that features the Antarctic habitat and a colony of emperor penguins. “Happy Feet” is another film about emperor penguins, though unlike “March of the Penguins,” it is animated. These films have made emperor penguins popular in both study and merchandise. The study of emperor penguins will continue since they have so many aspects of their lives that are unlike any other species.
Sources:
"Emperor Penguin." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 20 Oct 2007. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 21 Oct 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Emperor_ Penguin&oldid=165956755.
"Emperor Penguin Printout." 2007. EnchantedLearning.com. 20 Oct 2007. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/pr intouts/Emperorpenguin.shtml.
"Happy Feet." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 20 Oct 2007. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 20 Oct 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Happy_Fe et&oldid=165948373.
"March of the Penguins: The Production: The Emperor Penguin." 2005. Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. 20 Oct 2007. http://wip.warnerbros.com/marchofthepenguins/.&nbs p;
Emperor penguins live an average of 20 years. Adults grow to be 3 to 4 feet tall and weigh between 60-90 pounds. Their large size is partly because emperor penguins retain a thick layer of fat or blubber throughout their bodies. They maintain this layer because the food they eat also has high fat content. Fish, squid and krill are among the items in the carnivore's diet. Diet is important to emperor penguins because their yearly routine includes fasting, for periods up to 115 days. This ability to survive on food reserves makes emperor penguins one of the most studied species.
Another unique aspect of emperor penguins is that different levels of internal temperature regulate their bodies. The warm-blooded birds keep their extremities very cold, almost the same temperature as the external temperature. Only the core or center of an emperor penguin is kept warm. This constant warm temperature is maintained throughout the brutally cold weather in Antarctica. Because of the extreme cold, emperor penguins are usually found living in groups. During foraging and mating seasons, emperor penguins can be found huddling together in groups of 10 to 100.
Huddling together is necessary for the safety of baby penguins. Reproduction among emperor penguins is done between a male and female who mate for the season, not for life. Many can not find their previous partners, and choose another. After this single reproduction, the egg must be placed in an incubated nest. Mistreatment of the egg results in over one third breaking and not resulting in a successful birth. Males and females take turns protecting the egg from the cold, since incubating is done during the coldest part of the year. Once hatched, baby penguins are able to find and stay with their parents through voice recognition. The capacity for the high level of voice identification so soon after birth is a noteworthy aspect of the emperor penguin.
Another little known fact about the emperor penguin is the use and effectiveness of its outer color. The black and white penguins are counter shaded to provide a form of protection when in water. The colors allow for camouflaging in deep waters, to which emperor penguins are no strangers. With their slick feathers, stiff bodies and spindle shape; emperor penguins have been known to dive up to 1700 feet into water. This ability shocks some people who only know penguins for their awkward waddle. Though poor walkers, the diving and swimming of emperor penguins is impressive. They have a lot of endurance which helps the swimming and sliding of penguins. Sliding is done when emperor penguins use their webbed feet to glide over ice. The speed of the sliding can reach up to 5 miles per hour.
The final specifics of the emperor penguin are their body components. With 70 feathers per square inch, emperor penguins are required to molt once a year, to allow for new feathers. These feathers become water-proof when oil is secreted from the penguins bodies. The feathers on the back of emperor penguins are black, accompanying black webbed feet and a black bill. The penguins have white feathers in front, with some yellow near the neck and on the side of the head.
This description should sound familiar to many, as films have recently made emperor penguins very popular. “March of the Penguins” is one recent film that features the Antarctic habitat and a colony of emperor penguins. “Happy Feet” is another film about emperor penguins, though unlike “March of the Penguins,” it is animated. These films have made emperor penguins popular in both study and merchandise. The study of emperor penguins will continue since they have so many aspects of their lives that are unlike any other species.
Sources:
"Emperor Penguin." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 20 Oct 2007. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 21 Oct 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Emperor_ Penguin&oldid=165956755.
"Emperor Penguin Printout." 2007. EnchantedLearning.com. 20 Oct 2007. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/pr intouts/Emperorpenguin.shtml.
"Happy Feet." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 20 Oct 2007. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 20 Oct 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Happy_Fe et&oldid=165948373.
"March of the Penguins: The Production: The Emperor Penguin." 2005. Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. 20 Oct 2007. http://wip.warnerbros.com/marchofthepenguins/.&nbs p;
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