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Animals & Nature

Emperor Penguin

The emperor penguin is the largest penguin species and breeds on Antarctic sea ice during the dark, cold winter.

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The emperor penguin is the largest of the living penguin species and is native to Antarctica. Like all penguins, it is a flightless bird adapted for swimming. Adults travel across sea ice and dive into the Southern Ocean to feed mainly on fish, squid, and krill.

Emperor penguins have an unusual winter breeding cycle. A female lays one egg and transfers it to the male, who balances it on his feet beneath a fold of skin while fasting through much of the Antarctic winter. The female returns from the sea around the time the chick hatches.

Quick facts

  • The emperor penguin is the largest living penguin species.
  • It breeds around the coast of Antarctica, usually on stable sea ice.
  • A female normally lays a single egg during the breeding season.
  • The male incubates the egg on his feet beneath a brood pouch while fasting.
  • Emperor penguins form groups called huddles that reduce exposure to severe cold and wind.

A surprising fact

Scientists can locate emperor penguin colonies in satellite images by finding dark stains left on otherwise pale sea ice.