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Emperor Penguins

Short answer: Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) breed during the Antarctic winter, when temperatures can fall below -40 °C, which is also -40 °F. The female lays a single egg and passes it to the male, then heads to sea to feed.

The male balances the egg on his feet under a fold of skin, the brood pouch, for about two months, huddling with other males against winds of up to 200 km/h. It's the only penguin species where the male alone incubates. By the time the egg hatches he will have fasted for around 120 days since arriving at the colony. The female returns to take over the chick. The footage shows emperor penguins, eggs and chicks on the ice.

VideoWrite-up1 sources

In collections:Extreme Cold

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What should you know about Emperor Penguins?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. They breed through the Antarctic winter.

    DD-115-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Winter breeders)

  2. The female passes the single egg to the male.

    DD-115-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Egg handoff)

Video transcript: Emperor Penguins: Emperor Penguin Fathers Fast for About Four Months

Emperor penguins have a unique and challenging parenting strategy. DID YOU KNOW? In the harsh conditions of Antarctica, where temperatures can drop as low as -40 degrees Celsius or -40 degrees Fahrenheit, emperor penguins engage in a remarkable breeding cycle. After laying a single egg, the female transfers it to the male for incubation. The male emperor penguin then cradles the egg on its feet and covers it with a flap of abdominal skin to keep it warm. During this incubation period, which lasts for about two months, the male goes without eating, relying on stored energy reserves. Meanwhile, the female embarks on a long journey to the sea to feed and replenish her energy. When she returns, the male, often weakened and hungry, transfers the hatched chick back to the female. This intricate and challenging parenting strategy allows emperor penguins to adapt to the extreme conditions of their environment. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 45.5s Reel ·

Video coming soonEmperor Penguins · Instagram Reel
Emperor Penguins: Emperor Penguin Fathers Fast for About Four Months Instagram Reel · · 45.5s

The write-up

Emperor penguin fathers fast for about four months. Males incubate the egg on their feet through the Antarctic winter.

  1. Exhibit A

    Winter breeders

    They breed through the Antarctic winter.

  2. Exhibit B

    Egg handoff

    The female passes the single egg to the male.

  3. Exhibit C

    Brood pouch

    The male keeps the egg on his feet under a skin fold.

  4. Exhibit D

    Huddles

    Males huddle against winds of up to 200 km/h.

  5. Exhibit E

    120-day fast

    Males fast for around 120 days.

Questions people ask about Emperor Penguins

When do emperor penguins breed?

In extreme cold.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Winter breeders) · Wikipedia: Emperor penguin

Who incubates the egg?

Only emperors do this.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Egg handoff) · Wikipedia: Emperor penguin

Where does the male keep the egg?

Under a brood pouch.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Brood pouch) · Wikipedia: Emperor penguin

How fast can the winds get?

So males huddle.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Huddles) · Wikipedia: Emperor penguin

How long do males fast?

Since arriving at the colony.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (120-day fast) · Wikipedia: Emperor penguin

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. When do emperor penguins breed?

    1. In the Antarctic winter
    2. In summer only
    3. Never on ice
    4. In spring rain
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. In the Antarctic winter In extreme cold. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Winter breeders) · Wikipedia: Emperor penguin

  2. Who incubates the egg?

    1. The male
    2. The female
    3. Both in turns
    4. Neither
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The male Only emperors do this. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Egg handoff) · Wikipedia: Emperor penguin

  3. Where does the male keep the egg?

    1. On his feet
    2. In a nest of sticks
    3. In water
    4. Under snow
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. On his feet Under a brood pouch. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Brood pouch) · Wikipedia: Emperor penguin

  4. How fast can the winds get?

    1. Up to 200 km/h
    2. 10 km/h
    3. 1,000 km/h
    4. They're calm
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Up to 200 km/h So males huddle. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Huddles) · Wikipedia: Emperor penguin

  5. How long do males fast?

    1. Around 120 days
    2. One day
    3. A week
    4. A year
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Around 120 days Since arriving at the colony. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (120-day fast) · Wikipedia: Emperor penguin

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Emperor Penguins." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-115, last updated Dec 11, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/emperor-penguins/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/emperor-penguins/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-115-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/emperor-penguins/#DD-115-F01

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