Emperor Penguin - Aptenodytes Forsteri Facts, Information and Pictures
Distinguishing features
Largest of all the Penguins could only be confused with a King Penguin, but the location should be a giveaway. Emperors are only found on and around the Antarctic continent; Kings are found further north. To tell an Emperor from a King notice that the tear-drop shaped ear patches are yellow on Emperors and are open. Kings have orange ear patches that are closed.
Chicks have distinctive grey and black plumage.
Sub-species
There are no generally recognized sub-species of the Emperor penguin.
Height & Weight
Adult Emperor penguins are typically 1.2 meters tall. Juveniles are slightly shorter, only about 90cm to 1m. Emperors weigh around 30 to 40kg, their weight varies a great deal during the year. Males can lose about half their body weight while incubating eggs in the Antarctic winter.
Breeding locations
map of breeding locations
Emperors breed on the fast ice (and on two or three land-based sites) all around the Antarctic continent.
The total breeding population in 2018 was estimated to be 218,100 pairs.
Currently, it is believed the population is declining slowly.
Nesting behaviour
Females lay a single egg onto their feet and transfer it immediately to the male who incubates it on his feet underneath a fold of abdominal skin, throughout the Antarctic winter. Temperatures can drop as low as -70°C but they stick with the task!
Principal diet
Emperors take various antarctic fish as well as crustaceans such as krill etc.
Alternative names
As far as we know there are no alternative names for Emperor penguins.
Curious fact: Emperor penguins are the largest of all penguins with an average length of a six-year-old kid. They are also super swimmers and impressive divers. They can reach depths of over 500m and stay underwater for up to 22 minutes!
Largest of all the Penguins could only be confused with a King Penguin, but the location should be a giveaway. Emperors are only found on and around the Antarctic continent; Kings are found further north. To tell an Emperor from a King notice that the tear-drop shaped ear patches are yellow on Emperors and are open. Kings have orange ear patches that are closed.
Chicks have distinctive grey and black plumage.
Sub-species
There are no generally recognized sub-species of the Emperor penguin.
Height & Weight
Adult Emperor penguins are typically 1.2 meters tall. Juveniles are slightly shorter, only about 90cm to 1m. Emperors weigh around 30 to 40kg, their weight varies a great deal during the year. Males can lose about half their body weight while incubating eggs in the Antarctic winter.
Breeding locations
map of breeding locations
Emperors breed on the fast ice (and on two or three land-based sites) all around the Antarctic continent.
The total breeding population in 2018 was estimated to be 218,100 pairs.
Currently, it is believed the population is declining slowly.
Nesting behaviour
Females lay a single egg onto their feet and transfer it immediately to the male who incubates it on his feet underneath a fold of abdominal skin, throughout the Antarctic winter. Temperatures can drop as low as -70°C but they stick with the task!
Principal diet
Emperors take various antarctic fish as well as crustaceans such as krill etc.
Alternative names
As far as we know there are no alternative names for Emperor penguins.
Curious fact: Emperor penguins are the largest of all penguins with an average length of a six-year-old kid. They are also super swimmers and impressive divers. They can reach depths of over 500m and stay underwater for up to 22 minutes!
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