Antarctica’s Emperor Penguins migh disappear.

Antarctica’s Emperor Penguins: Might Disappear

The cute-looking Penguin might disappear like many other animals? But why? is there any way to save them?

The recent study comes as a shock- up to 80% of emperor penguin colonies are projected to be quasi-extinct by 2100 [population declines of more than 90%] with business-as-usual increases in greenhouse gas emissions.

Emperor penguins are an important part of the Antarctic ecosystem and are classified as "near threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population is believed to be declining due to the impacts of climate change, including the loss of sea ice, which is essential for their breeding and feeding habits.

Suggested  Read: Children will be the worst hit by climate change.

Some Random facts about Emperor Penguin

Emperors are uniquely adapted to survive these harsh conditions when temperatures can drop down to a bone-chilling -50°C and with winds of up to 200km/hr. 

 

Penguins can't fly- The penguin, ostrich, and emu have heavy solid bones that make it harder for them to stay in the air

Colonies- Emperor penguins live in groups called “colonies”. Each colony can be made up of 5,000 or more penguins at a time.The emperor penguin colony at Coulman Island is reputedly the largest known, with over 25,000 penguins!

 

They are expert divers- They have specially adapted haemoglobin and are able to ‘shut down’ non-essential organs to allow them to function at low oxygen levels. They also have solid (rather than ‘air-filled’) bones, which allow them to withstand high pressures of up to 40 times the surface.

 

They have two layers of feathers, a good reserve of fat,  and proportionally smaller beaks and flippers than other penguins to prevent heat loss.

 Physical Appearance of Emperor Penguins

Antarctica's Emperor Penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) are the largest species of penguin. They are found exclusively in Antarctica and are well adapted to the extremely cold and harsh conditions of their habitat.

Emperor penguins are flightless birds that rely on their strong legs and webbed feet to swim through the water. They are excellent swimmers and divers and are able to reach depths of more than 1,800 feet (550 meters) while hunting for food.

Emperor penguins have a distinctive appearance, with a black head, chin, upper chest, and a white belly. They also have a long, yellowish-orange beak and bright orange patches of skin on the sides of their head.

Social Behavior and Breeding 

Emperor Penguins breed during the winter months when temperatures in Antarctica can reach their lowest levels. 

The females lay a single egg, which the males incubate on their feet, covered by a fold of skin called a brood pouch, while the females go off to feed at sea. 

The males undergo a period of fasting during this time, relying on their fat reserves to sustain them. When the chicks hatch, they are covered in a thick layer of down and are cared for by both parents.

Emperor Penguins are highly social animals and live in large colonies. They are also excellent swimmers and divers and can stay underwater for up to 20 minutes at a time while hunting for food. They primarily feed on krill, fish, and squid.

They are friendly with humans. Penguins' main predators (seals, sea lions, whales, and sharks) reside in the water, so these birds feel much safer on land around researchers and tourists — for better or worse.

Do you want to save this beautiful creature? Learn how can we help in preventing the climate change?- Click to read.