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Penguins Sarah Everson Marine Biology 115

Abstract

Traits

There are several physical traits that are shared by most penguins. All penguins are known for their tuxedo-style look, which consists of a black body with a white center in the front. Although all penguins are classified as seabirds, they cannot fly. Their wings may not allow they to fly, but the wings of penguins have evolved into efficient flippers which are covered by small, scale-like feathers (Shortt, 1977). These powerful wings allow them to swim through water at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Penguins have dense feathers that are waterproof and entirely cover their body (Bradbury, 1976). Another shared trait of all penguins is that they are dependent on cold-water currents to bring in a food supply of fish and other marine life that they can consume (Bradbury, 1976). Emperors are the largest of all penguins. Both the males and females are similar in size; they can be as tall as 48 inches and weigh anywhere from 50-100 pounds (Penguins World). This breed features bright splashes of yellow and orange on their breast region and on their ears. Adelie penguins tend to look overweight compared to the other breeds. This is due to the fact that they are very short, no more than 30 inches in height, and wide. They generally weigh between 8-13 pounds and are classified as the smallest of all the Antarctic penguins (Penguins World). They have rings of white around their eyes and their beaks have a red color to it, with a black tip.

Behavior

Penguins spend about 75% of their lives in water. Most penguins sleep while standing up and huddled together for warmth in the cold climate of Antarctica. Penguins communicate through vocalization with each other. Penguins feed by diving for their meals. Emperor penguins have some distinctive behaviors. They form extremely large colonies. They are also known for taking good care of their young and cater to them; all penguins in the colony help each other to care for the little ones (Penguin World). Emperor penguins have their own form of locomotion. While other breeds waddle on land/ice, Emperors flop on their stomachs and propel themselves across the ice using their flippers as paddles (Bradbury, 1976). Adelie penguins have their own locomotive adaptation; they have powerful feet that allow them to move easier on the ice and have magnificent grips. They are also able to leap from water to land without slipping or sliding on the ice (Penguin World). These penguins are really social in their colonies. Adelies have a mellow nature that allows them to all get along with each other.

Habitat

Penguins live naturally in the Southern Hemisphere, yet not all are found in cold climates. Emperor penguins are found in Antarctica. They have adapted to the cold environment by being able to manipulate their bodies. They can function at low levels of oxygen, slow down their metabolism, and even shut down all the non-essential bodily functions for brief periods of time when necessary (Penguin World). Emperors are the only bird that never sets foot on solid land, they live solely in the water and on ice (Bradbury, 1976). Adelie penguins have been found in all areas of the Antarctic. More than 5 million Adelie penguins live in the Ross Sea area (Penguins World).

Breeding

Most species of penguins breed with the same mate every year. Many of the penguin species have a specified dating season, while others can breed any time of the year. Penguins go through a courting process before they choose a mate. Courtship begins with vocal communication from one to another. It is the male’s job to impress, as the females are the ones who actually choose who they will breed with. Reproduction for the Emperor penguin is different than the other species. Breeding occurs during the peak of winter in the Antarctic. These penguins will migrate for more than 70 miles to their breeding grounds (Penguin World). Emperors only remain faithful to their mate for one year. After the female lays the single egg, the male is left in charge to take care of it while she hunts for food. During this 64 day period, males can lose as much as 1/3 of their body weight (Bradbury, 1976). Adelie penguins are fiercly protective of their breeding grounds. They move to breeding grounds in October or November. As many as half a million Adelie penguins gather in one location in the Antarctic during this breeding season. Like the Emperor penguins, males also assume responsibility for the egg incubation, and loses nearly 40% of their body weight during this time (Bradbury, 1976). Adelies build nests out of stone, pebbles, and loose pieces of grass.

Predators and Threats

Literature Cited

What predator a penguin has depends on the species. The size of the penguin will effect which kind of predators it attracts. The location of where the species lives either exposes it to predators or keeps them safe from threats. Penguins are generally safer on land than in the water, depending on their size. The leopard seal, sharks, and killer whales are primary water hunters of penguins. Land predators, a threat to smaller-sized penguins, include snakes, lizards, skuas and various types of birds. Humans are the biggest risk to penguins. Humans hunt penguins for their eggs and for their oil. Our actions, even unconsciously, are still threat to penguins. Boats in the water, fishing nets, and contamination of the water are negative side effects of offshore fishing. Also, we are to blame for the destruction of penguins’ natural habitats due to taking over their land. Adelie penguins face their own specific threats. They live on the sea ice, and their environment is being depleted due to humans and due to global warming (Penguin World). Lack of food sources is also having an effect on their numbers.

Bradbury, Will. "Penguins and Puffins." Birds of Sea, Shore, and Stream. N.p.: Vineyard, 1976. 14-24. Print. Wild, Wild World of Animals.

Shortt, Terence M. "Penguins." Wild Birds of the Americas. Toronto: Pagurian Limited, 1977. 19-22. Print.

http://www.penguins.cl/penguins-species.html (Accessed on 3/1/2015 via internet)

http://www.penguins-world.com/adelie-penguin (Accessed on 3/1/2015 via internet)

http://www.penguins-world.com/emperor-penguin (Accessed on 3/1/2015 via internet)

http://www.penguins-world.com/penguin-predators/ (Accessed on 3/1/2015 via internet)

Penguins, scientific name Spheniscidae, have 17 different species. Adelie penguins, Chinstrap penguins, Emperor penguins, Erect-crested penguins, Fiordland penguins, Galapagos penguins, Gentoo penguins, Humboldt penguins, King penguins, Little (Blue) penguins, Macaroni penguins, Magellanic penguins, Rockhopper penguins, Royal penguins, Snares penguins, and Yellow-eyed penguins. These penguins are all flightless birds of the sea. For the purpose of this project, the two that will be focused on in detail are the Emperor and Adelie penguins. The physical traits, behavior, habitat, breeding, and threats of penguins in general and of those specific species is further explained in each section.

This image depicts two distinct behaviors or the Emperor penguin. It shows their specific coloring of their ears and beaks. It also is a demonstration of how they slide, as opposed to waddle. Emperor penguins glide on the ice on their belllies and use their wings for movement and direction. http://www.photovolcanica.com/PenguinSpecies/Emperor/IMG_7811.jpg (Accessed on 5/14/2015 via internet)

Above is an example of how penguins are suffering due to the depletion of ice. The disappearance of ice is due to global warming, which is being caused by humans. http://www.envirowarrior.com/artic-ice-melting/ (Accessed on 5/15/2015 via internet)

Below is a picture of Adelie penguins during the mating season in Cape Hallett. The nests of these penguins are made up of stones, oebbles, loose grass, and any other objects they can find. The male is the one looking after the egg on the nest. http://www.rosssea.info/antarctic_penguins.html (Accessed on 3/15/2015 via internet)