Emperor penguins incubating eggs
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Emperor penguins incubating eggs
Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) males incubating eggs. This picture was taken in August. These are the only penguins to breed in the Antarctic during the winter. Each pair produces a single egg, which the males incubate on their feet, covering them with a special fold of skin. Males fast during the two month incubation period and lose almost half their body mass by the end. The females spend the winter at sea, returning when the chick hatches. The pair then feed the chick by regurgitating fish. The emperor is the largest penguin, standing around 115 centimetres tall. Photographed at the Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6463891
© DOUG ALLAN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Antarctica Aptenodytes Forsteri Biggest Bird Breeding Carnivore Carnivorous Colony Eggs Emperor Penguins Fish Eater Fish Eating Flight Less Flock Freezing Frozen Group Ice Shelf Incubating Largest Males Oceanic Piscivore Piscivorous Re Production Reproducing Rookery Tallest Winter Huddle Incubation
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a remarkable moment in the life of Emperor penguins, showcasing their unique breeding behavior. In this image taken during August, we witness male Emperor penguins diligently incubating eggs on their feet amidst the frozen landscape of Antarctica. These resilient creatures are the only penguin species that brave the harsh Antarctic winter to breed. Each pair produces a single precious egg, which is carefully nestled onto the males' feet and covered with a special fold of skin. During the two-month incubation period, these devoted fathers endure fasting and sacrifice almost half their body mass for the sake of their unhatched offspring. Meanwhile, female Emperor penguins spend this frigid season at sea, returning just in time for their chick's arrival into the world. Once hatched, both parents take turns regurgitating fish to nourish and nurture their young one. The Emperor penguin holds an impressive stature as it stands tall at approximately 115 centimeters—the largest among all its fellow avian counterparts. This photograph was captured at Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica—a testament to these flightless birds' ability to adapt and thrive even in such extreme conditions. With its focus on reproduction and survival against all odds, this image showcases not only nature's incredible diversity but also highlights how far living beings will go to ensure future generations flourish.
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