EMPEROR PINGUIN

Emperor penguins are the largest of all the penguins. They stand almost 4 ft. (1.2 meters) tall and weigh 70 to 90 lbs. (30 to 40 kg.). Emperor penguins walk slowly and do not hop. The maximum walking speed for emperors is 2.8 kph (1.7 mph). Emperor penguins are also known to toboggan - sliding across ice on their bellies. The Emperor Penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species. The dorsal side and head are black and sharply delineated from the white belly, pale-yellow breast and bright-yellow ear patches. Like all penguins it is flightless, with a streamlined body, and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine habitat.

Emperor Penguins are social animals, both foraging and nesting in groups. In severe weather the penguins huddle together for protection. They may be active day or night. Mature adults travel throughout most of the year between the nesting area and foraging areas in the ocean. From January to March, Emperor Penguins disperse into the oceans, traveling and foraging in groups. It is estimated that there are at least 250,000 Emperor Penguins, distributed into as many as 40 independent Antarctic colonies.

Emperor Penguins first begin to breed at approximately five years of age. Emperor penguins travel about 90 km (56 mi) inland to reach the breeding site. The penguins start courtship in March or April, when the temperature can be as low as –40°C. Emperor Penguins are serially monogamous. They have only one mate each year, and stay faithful to that mate.

Emperor penguins have a varied menu with some prey items being more important than others. One of the most frequently eaten prey species is the Antarctic silverfish Pleuragramma antarcticum. They also eat other fish, Antarctic krill and some species of squid.An adult penguin eats 2 - 3 kg per day and chick needs about 42 kg of food for each parent.

In the wild, Emperor Penguins typically live for 20 years, but some records indicate a maximum lifespan of around 40 years.