Penguins
Chinstrap penguin by Kevin Schafer
Early explorers to Antarctica thought penguins were fish and classified them accordingly. In fact, as birds, they are superbly designed for their job. Buoyant, torpedo-shaped bodies and an efficient flipper design allow penguins to "fly" underwater, using their bill, tail, and feet to rapidly change direction pursuing fish or avoiding predators. Furthermore, when traveling long distances, penguins will porpoise, leaping out of the water, to reduce drag and conserve energy.
Emperor penguins
The largest penguin in Antarctica is the Emperor, which stands about one metre high and weighs up to about 40 kg. It is unique among Antarctica’s birds, breeding in winter on the ice along the coast of the continent when the weather is at its worst and there is almost continuous darkness. Emperor penguins do not build nests. Instead, the male incubates the egg on its feet and the birds huddle together for warmth.
Along with the Emperor, the Adélie is the only other truly Antarctic penguin. It breeds further south than any other penguin and the largest colony is 71 degrees South at Cape Adare, with an estimated 220,000 pairs. Penguins such as Kings, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Rockhopper and Macaroni have colonies in vast concentrations on the Antarctic sub-islands like South Georgia.
As they grow, young penguins gather in large numbers to form communal nurseries or `crèches’ as a form of protection against predators. There is no overall `nanny’ in charge, although if danger threatens the chicks may congregate around an adult bird to help ward off the attack.
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