EMPEROR Penguin
Morphology
The Emperor Penguin is a large bird that stands up to more than a meter in height. Their feathers vary in color from black on the back to white on the front with a yellow patch towards the neck. |
Biology
Emperor Penguins are found in the deep south, inhabiting the compacted ice on the Antarctic continent and along the coast. Coming onto land to breed, they can travel distances of up to 200km across the ice to reach their breeding colony before returning to the open ocean to feed. |
Importance
Ecological
Emperor penguins are important members of the Antarctic ecosystem. |
Economical
There are no negative impacts of Emperor penguins on humans. |
Facts about the Emperor Penguin
- The emperor penguin is the largest of 17 species of penguin at 45 inches tall.
- It is the only animal to inhabit the open ice of Antarctica during the winter.
- Four layers of scale-like feathers protect them from icy winds and provide a waterproof coat.
- They have small bills and flippers, which helps to conserve heat, and special nasal chambers that minimize the heat normally emitted through exhalation.
- Their arteries and veins are situated close together, emperor penguins have the ability to recycle their own body heat.
Vocabulary
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Resources
Emperor Penguin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Penguin Aptenodytes forsteri http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/emperor-penguin/ Emperor Penguin http://a-z-animals.com/animals/emperor-penguin/ |