Animals of the Ice: Emperor Penguin
Links/Credits:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Polar News – Ruedi Abbudhl/Michael Magee
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Transcript
NARRATOR:
Their waddle has made them famous. Emperor penguins may just be the cutest creature in the world's coldest climate: Antarctica.
These flightless marine birds have adapted well to the ice, snow, and frigid waters.
Emperors are the largest of all penguins, and being big actually means being warmer. Their bodies can conserve more heat. Emperors also have more feathers per square inch than any other bird, helping to keep them warm.
And when diving for food, a thick layer of blubber helps insulate them from the cold water.
If these birds seem extra cuddly, there's a reason.
Adults and chicks alike will huddle together in large packs to beat the cold. Adults will also walk with newborns on their feet and under their blubber to protect them from the elements.
These birds haven't let ice become an obstacle. Much of their travel involves sliding on their bellies for miles at a time. They're also expert climbers, using their claws and beaks to scale the icy cliffs. They learn this at a very young age.
And that's life with the ice for emperor penguins.
