DADS WEEK DAY # 4

DAD’S WEEK DAY #4

We’ve already made it to Day 4 of Dads week can you believe it? So far we’ve met some awesome dads, all of whom live in a tropical or warm habitat, but not today! We’re putting on the parkas, big boots and snow shoes to meet today’s feathery dad! Talk about enduring the elements, these South Pole residents sure live in a harsh climate! Are you ready to go?

MEET THE EMPEROR PENGUIN!

   Range/Habitat: Antarctica, coastline and oceans

   Diet: Carnivore: fish

   Length/Weight: up to 3 ½ ft/ up to 82 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Emperor Penguins are the largest of all penguin species.
• They breed in the winter.
• Female Emperor Penguins lay their eggs and immediately give them to the males.
• Male Emperor Penguins then carry the eggs on their feet and cover them with a pouch of skin to keep them warm.
• Females return to the sea to eat while the males incubate the egg.
• Male Emperor Penguins fast for around 65 days while they incubate the egg.
• They huddle together in the harsh conditions to keep warm. The penguins rotate in the center of the huddle to get warm.

Emperor Penguins are fantastic birds! These dads go through a very harsh winter with eggs on their feet to ensure that their chicks are safe! We are very impressed by these birds! What about you?