Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)

   Emperor penguins are the largest species of penguins. They grow as big as 3.5 feet high and weight about 82 pounds. They can survive the world for approximately 20 years. Emperor penguins body is covered with feathers that are thick and waterproof, and reduces the loss of heat in a penguin’s body. They have yellow patches on the side of their necks and bills that are purplish pink. Males have an abdominal fold between their legs and lower abdomen to protect their egg and chick during the mating season. You can tell the difference between male and female emperor penguins by their calls. They can swim up to 4-7 miles per hour but in short burst, they can reach 12 miles per hour. During the cold winters, emperor penguins huddle in turtle formation to keep warm. Scientist is least concerned about emperor penguins being extinct.

    Emperor Penguins are found in the circumpolar area and on Antarctica. They feed, travel, and nest in groups making them very social. They are active during the day or night during the beginning of the month they go out into the ocean.

    Emperor penguins dive about 164 feet to find their meal of small fish, squid or crustaceans. Over many meals, these penguins found a strategy to find hiding fish on the ice cracks, they blow bubbles into the cracks.