Emperor Penguin

Imagine going on one of our voyages and spotting a penguin that could be as tall as your child. We’re talking about the emperor penguin, the tallest and heaviest species seen during our Antarctica trips. They can grow up to 125cm tall and weigh as much as 45kg. Curious to learn more about the giant of the penguin world? Here, we’ll provide all the essential information you need before sailing with us.

Imagine catching sight of one of these charming penguins during your trip to Charlotte Bay?

Emperor Penguin Quick Overview

Questions Guests Ask About the Emperor Penguin

How Big Are They?

Their height is up to 125 cm (4.1 ft), weighing between 22 and 45 kg (49–99 pounds), making them the largest and by far the heaviest of all penguins. The only moment that they might not be the largest is during the incubation period, as males can lose nearly half of their body weight. However, its size is so remarkable that if you place an emperor penguin next to a human, it can be almost as tall as a young child!

What Do They Eat?

Their diet is mainly based on fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans. Uniquely among birds, males can produce a nutritious, milk-like substance to feed their chicks if the female hasn’t returned from the sea, which is a highly unusual trait.

Where Do They Live?

The emperor penguin habitat is usually the pack ice near the coast of Antarctica. On our ships, you can spot these lovely penguins in areas such as the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, and South Georgia!

What’s the Difference Between the King Penguin and the Emperor Penguin?

Even though these two precious penguins are very similar to each other and can often be mistaken for one another during our voyages, they have many differences. The emperor species is larger but has shorter bills and flippers compared to the king penguin. Also, emperor penguins have yellow-orange patches on their necks with a black collar, whereas the king penguin has brighter orange and yellow ear patches along with a more orange chest. Lastly, while emperor penguins breed on the Antarctic ice, king penguins are found on the sub-Antarctic islands.

How Long Do They Live?

Their lifespan ranges from 15 to 20 years, but they may live much longer.

Who Are Their Main Predators?

Emperor penguin predators in the sea are usually killer whales and leopard seals, while on land they include the Southern giant petrels and South polar skuas, which prey on weak or dead emperor penguin chicks.

Are They Endangered?

According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, they are classified as ‘Near Threatened’, with their population declining over the years.

This tall seabird loves the cold weather

How Many of These 10 Emperor Penguin Facts Did You Already Know?

1. In May and June, they lay a single large egg weighing nearly half a kilogram.
2. Their nesting occurs on stable pack ice close to the Antarctic coast.
3. The male species incubates the egg for two months during the cold and harsh winter months.
4. Emperor penguin’s baby size is quite small (10cm, 365 grams) despite its large adult size.
5. One of the most characteristic adaptations of emperor penguins is that they are the only penguin species that breed during the Antarctic winter.
6. Emperor penguin sounds are high-pitched, deep, and resemble trumpets, which are vital within their crowded colonies for recognising each other and locating the baby emperor penguins.
7. They don’t build nests. Instead, they place the egg on their feet, covered by a skin fold to keep it warm.
8. In sporadic cases, the emperor penguin’s life expectancy can be up to 50 years!
9. The emperor penguin’s life cycle involves breeding during the winter.
10. Male size can diminish by half of its original weight during egg incubation.