Emperor Penguin: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Penguins and Puffins · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. Emperors are the only penguins that breed in the Antarctic winter. They trek 50 to 120 km over the ice to reach their colonies.
2. Dad does the egg-sitting. The male fasts for over two months, losing roughly 12 kg, while incubating a single egg.
3. With no fixed nests, emperors find their mate and chick by sound alone. Their calls vary more between individuals than in any other penguin.
4. An emperor can stay underwater around 20 minutes and dive to 535 m. Its bones are solid, not air-filled, to avoid pressure injury.
5. Emperors breed in the coldest environment of any bird, with air that can reach minus 40 °C and winds up to 144 km/h.

The quiz

1. When do emperor penguins breed?

• During the Antarctic winter (correct)
• During the Antarctic summer
• Only in spring
• All year round

They are the only penguins that breed during the Antarctic winter.

2. How much weight does the fasting male lose while incubating the egg?

• About 1 kg
• About 4 kg
• About 12 kg (correct)
• About 40 kg

Males lose roughly 12 kg while incubating.

3. How do emperor penguins recognise their chick?

• By its sound (correct)
• By its smell
• By its nest
• By its colour

With no fixed nests, they rely on vocal sounds alone for identification.

4. At most, how deep can an emperor penguin dive?

• 35 m
• 135 m
• 535 m (correct)
• 1,535 m

It can dive to a depth of 535 m.

5. How cold can the air get where emperors breed?

• Minus 5 °C
• Minus 15 °C
• Minus 25 °C
• Minus 40 °C (correct)

Air temperatures may reach minus 40 °C.

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