Habitat:
Niche:
"The emperor penguin has evolved into a very narrow ecological niche, its an animal that breeds in the coldest environment in the world." -Peter Fretwell.
Hunting
The emperor penguin's main job in it's community is to hunt and gather food for its family. Emperor penguins are very effective hunters, but they fall prey to few arctic predators.
Hunting
The emperor penguin's main job in it's community is to hunt and gather food for its family. Emperor penguins are very effective hunters, but they fall prey to few arctic predators.
Special Defenses:
How do they deal with the harsh environment?
Emperor Penguins employ physiological adaptations and cooperative behaviors in order to deal with an incredibly harsh environment, that can reach a -76 degrees fahrenheit wind chill. They have four layers of scale-like feathers that protect them from the icy winds and provide a waterproof coat. Also, they can store large amounts of fat which insulates their body.
Emperor Penguins employ physiological adaptations and cooperative behaviors in order to deal with an incredibly harsh environment, that can reach a -76 degrees fahrenheit wind chill. They have four layers of scale-like feathers that protect them from the icy winds and provide a waterproof coat. Also, they can store large amounts of fat which insulates their body.
Do they have any defenses to help protect themselves from predators?
One special defense that helps disguise Emperor Penguins from their predators are the colors of their feathers. The color's of the penguin's feathers help them avoid being detected by predators when they are underwater. If a predator looks down on an emperor penguin, the dar feathers on its back help it blend in with the dark depths of the ocean. If a predator is looking up, the white feathers on the penguin's stomach help it blend in with the sky and the ice above.
One special defense that helps disguise Emperor Penguins from their predators are the colors of their feathers. The color's of the penguin's feathers help them avoid being detected by predators when they are underwater. If a predator looks down on an emperor penguin, the dar feathers on its back help it blend in with the dark depths of the ocean. If a predator is looking up, the white feathers on the penguin's stomach help it blend in with the sky and the ice above.
Are there any other defenses?
Speed is also a defense that emperor penguins use to protect themselves from predators. Underwater, an emperor penguin can reach 9.3 mph, which helps them quickly escape from predators. This helps them leap out of the water, which they have to do every few minutes so they don't fall prey to seals.
Speed is also a defense that emperor penguins use to protect themselves from predators. Underwater, an emperor penguin can reach 9.3 mph, which helps them quickly escape from predators. This helps them leap out of the water, which they have to do every few minutes so they don't fall prey to seals.
Population:
Are Emperor Penguins Endangered?
In 2012, the emperor penguin was uplisted from a species of least concern to near threatened, and is currently under consideration for inclusion under the US Endangered Species Act. Disease, habitat destruction, and disturbance of breeding colonies by humans are all reasons for the species' placement on the endangered species act. How has the population changed over the past years?
The total population in 2009 was 595,000 adult birds. Over the past 50 years, the population has declined by 50%, producing a negative growth rate. A recent study forecasted an 87% decline, and possible extinction by 2100 due to global climate change. The average yearly survival rate is 95.1% among adult birds, but only about 1/3 of juvenile penguins will make it to their first birthday, due to falling prey to seabirds like giant petrels or skuas. The average life expectancy is 19.9 years, and only about 1% of emperor penguins could possibly live to be 50. What are some things that could affect the population?
Humans can sometimes affect emperor penguins through airplane activity. When a large plane flies past a group of emperor penguins can frighten them. Although Antarctica doesn't have many human establishments, its home to many scientific researchers. These establishments can throw confusion into the patterns of the penguins, affecting some of the population segments. Oils spills are also a huge problem. Being around oil can bring many problems to the penguins. If they swallow oil while grooming, it triggers toxicity and causes organ problems. |
1959 Antarctica Treaty
The 1959 Antarctica Treaty made it illegal to hunt penguins, and also made their eggs off limits. Humans are forbidden from retrieving emperor penguins, due to their forecasted extinction. Although this treaty helps protect the penguins for humans, predators are still a huge risk. |