{"id":130126,"date":"2021-06-14T08:44:14","date_gmt":"2021-06-14T06:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/?p=130126"},"modified":"2025-06-06T11:21:33","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T09:21:33","slug":"emperor-penguin-antarctica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/emperor-penguin-antarctica\/","title":{"rendered":"The emperor penguin: the sentinel of Antarctica"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=\u201d1\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d header_2_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d custom_padding=\u201d13px||13px||true|\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n

The emperor penguin<\/b> is a unique sea bird. While other animal species leave Antarctica during the winter, and other birds breed in the spring or at the beginning of the austral summer, the emperor penguin is the only animal species to breed in the middle of <\/b>Antarctica\u2019s<\/b><\/a> austral winter<\/b>. Discover how this species has adapted to survive remarkably well in these extreme conditions.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||40px||false|false\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n

The Emperor on the ice<\/h3>\n

The emperor penguin<\/b> is the only animal species to spend the whole year in Antarctica<\/b>. It also reproduces in the middle of winter, when the weather conditions are the harshest. Another remarkable feat. But this strategic choice allows the young penguins to break away from their parents at the beginning of the summer, when food is abundant.<\/p>\n

Its reproductive cycle<\/b> lasts a great deal of the year since it runs from March to December<\/b>. After spending two months at sea stockpiling food, the adult emperor penguins arrive on the ice at the beginning of winter, when the sea ice starts creating ice jams<\/b>. At the same time, other animals leave Antarctica in the search for more lenient weather conditions.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d width=\u201d100%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|phone\u201d max_width=\u201d1000px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||5px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d background_size=\u201dcontain\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_image src=\u201dhttps:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Reproductive-cycle-EN.jpg\u201d alt=\u201dLearn all there is to know about the Emperor Penguin and its reproductive cycle\u201d title_text=\u201dmanchot-empereur-antarctique\u201d align=\u201dcenter\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d custom_margin=\u201d||-25px|||\u201d custom_padding=\u201d34px||40px||false|false\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n

After walking sometimes over a hundred kilometres on the sea ice, in columns hundreds of individuals strong, the emperor penguins<\/b> make their way back to the colony, often made up of tens of thousands of birds. There are around sixty colonies of emperor penguins in Antarctica.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The couples then get together and the female lays a single egg <\/b>between May and June. Once they have laid their egg, the breeding females leave the colony<\/b> to go back to the sea to feed, leaving the male alone to incubate<\/b> the egg. The male incubates the egg by keeping it on its feet, well-hidden under a fold of skin. This is a particularly crucial operation because, if the egg were to stay on the ice for too long, it would freeze almost instantly.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d width=\u201d100%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|phone\u201d max_width=\u201d1000px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||5px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d background_size=\u201dcontain\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_image src=\u201dhttps:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Delicate-procedure-EN.jpg\u201d alt=\u201dLearn all there is to know about the Emperor Penguin and its reproductive cycle\u201d title_text=\u201dmanchot-empereur-antarctique\u201d align=\u201dcenter\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\u201d1\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||5px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|false\u201d locked=\u201doff\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d min_height=\u201d296px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d21px||40px||false|false\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n

The eggs hatch<\/b> in July. The females then make their return to the colony and feed their chick by regurgitating<\/b> the contents of their stomach. They can feed the chick that way for around a month. During that period, it is the turn of the males, who have fasted for over four months<\/b> and lost up to 45% of their initial mass, to take the silent road to the open water which lies several kilometres away. They can then hunt, stock up on food, and come back to the colony to feed their young.<\/p>\n

The breeding females and males, these indefatigable walkers<\/b>, must travel several times between the colony and ice-free zones<\/b> before the young become self-sufficient<\/b>, in December when the ice breaks up.<\/p>\n

This breeding period during the austral winter<\/a> makes the emperor penguin <\/b>one of the warm-blooded animals to face some of the harshest weather conditions on the planet. How does it survive in such extreme conditions<\/b>?<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d custom_margin=\u201d-14px|||||\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||40px||false|false\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n

The undisputed champion of polar survival<\/h3>\n

This bird is the only animal in the whole world<\/b> able to thrive in such a harsh environment. Its anatomy and behaviour is perfectly suited to surviving on the ice.<\/p>\n

From an anatomical <\/b>point of view, the emperor is equipped with many a tool to face the cold. It has four layers of feathers shaped like scales, a thick layer of blubber and a blood system that provides exceptional thermal insulation<\/b>.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d width=\u201d100%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|phone\u201d max_width=\u201d1000px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||5px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d background_size=\u201dcontain\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_image src=\u201dhttps:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Survival-EN.jpg\u201d alt=\u201dLearn all there is to know about the Emperor Penguin and its reproductive cycle\u201d title_text=\u201dmanchot-empereur-antarctique\u201d align=\u201dcenter\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_margin=\u201d-32px|||||\u201d custom_padding=\u201d|||0px||\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_margin=\u201d|auto||258px||\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|false\u201d locked=\u201doff\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d custom_margin=\u201d38px|||||\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||40px||false|false\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n

But it also managed to adapt its behaviour<\/b> in order to survive. Emperor penguins<\/b> have evolved to stand<\/b> in such a way as to limit the amount of body surface area exposed to the cold. They rest on their claws and on a layer of blubber under their feet, retract their necks and turn their backs to the wind.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, they are pacifists and one of the few bird species to not be territorial.<\/b> This special feature and the fact they do not build nests, instead covering their egg on their feet, allow them to be constantly on the move<\/b> within the colony. That way, they can engage in thermoregulatory behaviour<\/b>, which is essential to their survival. Indeed, emperor penguins stick together to form very dense groups <\/b>known as turtle formations<\/b> with a microclimate inside. This allows individual penguins in the centre to warm up and thus minimise heat loss<\/b>. They swap places with each other, rotating between the centre and the outside of the formation.<\/p>\n

Once they become thermally independent<\/b>, the chicks also adopt this behaviour. They join up to make nurseries and form chick turtle formations<\/b> to survive temperatures that can drop below -50\u00b0C<\/b>.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||40px||false|false\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n

Aptenodytes<\/i> Forst<\/i>eri<\/i>: a swimming and singing prodigy<\/h3>\n

As well as adapting exceptionally well to the austral winter, this bird has other abilities that make it unique.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d width=\u201d100%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|phone\u201d max_width=\u201d1000px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||5px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d background_enable_image=\u201doff\u201d background_size=\u201dcontain\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_image src=\u201dhttps:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Swimmer-EN.jpg\u201d alt=\u201dLearn all there is to know about the Emperor Penguin and its reproductive cycle\u201d title_text=\u201dSwimmer-EN\u201d align=\u201dcenter\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_margin=\u201d-32px|||||\u201d custom_padding=\u201d|||0px||\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_margin=\u201d|auto||258px||\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|false\u201d locked=\u201doff\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d custom_margin=\u201d38px|||||\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||40px||false|false\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n

For example, each emperor penguin<\/b> has its own singing style. This voice signature<\/b> allows members of the same family to recognise and find each other in the middle of a colony made up of tens of thousands of penguins.<\/p>\n

Just like all penguins, emperor penguins are flightless birds<\/b>. However, they are excellent swimmers<\/b> and are therefore perfectly suited to their environment. Indeed, emperor penguins are spectacular marine predators, capable of diving to depths of up to 500 metres <\/b>and remaining underwater for up to 30 minutes.<\/b> They use their wings as fins<\/b> and their feet and tail as a rudder.<\/p>\n

The scientific name of the emperor penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri<\/i>, is a reference to its abilities as Aptenodytes<\/i> comes from the Greek words apteron <\/i>which means \u201cwingless\u201d and dytes<\/i> which means \u201cdiver\u201d.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\u201d2_5,3_5\u2033 admin_label=\u201dMEA \u2013 decalage\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d1000px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d50px||50px||true|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d2_5\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_enable_color=\u201doff\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|on||||||\u201d header_2_text_align=\u201dleft\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d header_2_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d background_color=\u201d#307f90\u2033 custom_margin=\u201d|-30%|||false|false\u201d custom_margin_tablet=\u201d|0%|||false|false\u201d custom_margin_phone=\u201d\u201d custom_margin_last_edited=\u201don|tablet\u201d custom_padding=\u201d30px|75%|30px|20px|true|false\u201d custom_padding_tablet=\u201d|20px|||true|false\u201d custom_padding_phone=\u201d\u201d custom_padding_last_edited=\u201don|tablet\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d]<\/p>\n

How to tell an emperor penguin from a royal penguin?<\/h2>\n

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Royal penguins live in a more temperate climate, they can be found in the shores of subantarctic islands<\/b><\/a>. They nest in ice-free areas like beaches with close access to the sea. They are around 90 cm tall, whereas the emperor penguin is 120 cm tall on average. They have a black and orange beak<\/b> and a black head <\/b>with a bright orange crest<\/b>. The chicks have brown fur <\/b>whilst emperor penguin chicks<\/b> are light grey<\/b> with a black head and white markings around the eyes.<\/p>\n

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PONANT takes you there<\/p>\n

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Try to approach the Antarctica\u2019s Emperor with Le Commandant Charcot.<\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=\u201dhttps:\/\/en.ponant.com\/cruises\/on-board\/vessel-le-commandant-charcot?pred-facet-destination%5B%5D=ANTARCTI\u201d url_new_window=\u201don\u201d button_text=\u201dDiscover ou cruises in Antarctica\u201d button_alignment=\u201dleft\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_margin=\u201d20px||20px||false|false\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A sea bird remarkably well-adapted to surviving on the ice all year round.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":131100,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"thematique":[1442,1425],"class_list":["post-130126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-encounter","thematique-birds","thematique-polar-wildlife"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Emperor Penguin: Meet Antarctica's Most Popular Seabird | Magazine PONANT<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the emperor penguin, the only animal species to spend the whole year in Antarctica.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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