Emperor Penguin Essay

Submitted By JessGueff
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Pages: 4
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Section 1
Emperor Penguins (Aptenodytes Forsteri) are fascinating creatures. These penguins are classified as birds and are carnivorous animals. They are the largest (size wise) species of penguin. They are 1.2 metres tall and they can weigh usually up to 43kg. Their life span is about 40 years! Emperor Penguins are indeed interesting animals.
Habitat
The Emperor Penguin lives only in the southern hemisphere, generally around the edges and surrounding waters of Antarctica. But this species of penguins is the only penguin that never sets foot on land! This intriguing creature lives on the pack ice that forms in the ocean cause by the extreme cold. The Emperor Penguin also lives most southerly of all species of penguin.
Climate
The emperor penguin lives in one of the world’s harshest environments. All of the world’s worst living conditions include either heat or cold. In this case the emperor penguin faces with cold; extreme cold. The temperature of the areas where these beautiful penguins live can go down to -60 degrees Celsius! In winter these penguins face 24 hours of complete darkness making grim months.
Dietary Needs
The main diet of the emperor penguin consists of fish, krill, squid and other small crustaceans. But out of all of these options the most common meal for the penguin is the Antarctic Silverfish. This aquatic bird has fantastic swimming talents. The flippers of the emperor penguin help it to propel up to 24km per hour. It can also dive to a depth of 1800ft and stay in the water for 18 minutes. During hunting these attributes are extremely useful for the emperor penguin.
Social Patterns and Behaviours
Emperor Penguins are colonial animals. They are the most social of all birds in the world. These penguins hunt together, eat combined and live with each other. Emperor Penguins are also are very co-ordinated and well organised when in groups (mainly hunting). The penguin uses visual and vocal communication amongst its colony and in nesting grounds to show territory.
Family Size and Members
The emperor penguin is usually ready to breed at the age of 3. When this age comes the male uses visual ‘displays’ hoping that a female penguin is ready to breed with that male penguin. They start the breeding cycle in autumn, then they move to nesting areas so that their chick is able grow up on more ice. When the egg is released the male immediately incubates the egg because if the egg touches the icy ground the chick inside will die almost immediately. The male penguin incubates the egg for over 3 months! When the chick is born it forms a crèche with other chicks in the colony for warmth. Sometimes a crèche can consist of 7000 birds! If the emperor penguin wants another chick they will have to wait for another year while other penguins can have two chicks a year.

Migration Habits
The emperor penguin migrates once a year towards Antarctica for their breeding season in autumn. They travel up to 200km on sea ice until they reach a nesting colony. Some emperor penguins also do this to escape the harsh winter cold. When the winter season is over the penguins move back to their old home.
Range of Where They Live
The emperor penguin lives around the areas of Antarctica
Place on the Food Chain
Emperor penguins are near the top
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