Antarctica is one of the coldest places on Earth, but emperor penguins call it home! These amazing birds can survive in temperatures as low as -60 degrees Fahrenheit. How do they do it?
Emperor penguins have several adaptations for staying warm. Their feathers are tightly packed together—about 100 feathers per square inch! Under their skin, a thick layer of fat called blubber keeps the cold out. When temperatures drop, penguins huddle together in large groups, taking turns being on the outside.
Emperor penguins are the only animals that breed during the Antarctic winter. The father penguin keeps the egg warm on his feet for two months while the mother goes to find food in the ocean!
Splash! A penguin dives into the icy water. It's breakfast time! The penguin zooms through the water like a torpedo, using its wings as flippers. Fish don't stand a chance against this speedy swimmer.
After eating, the penguin waddles back to its colony. Walking on land isn't easy for penguins—their short legs make them look funny as they rock from side to side. Sometimes they slide on their bellies to move faster!
Back at the colony, the penguin finds its family by listening. Each penguin has a unique call, like a special song. Parents and chicks recognize each other's voices even among thousands of other penguins. The penguin feeds its hungry chick and settles in for a rest.