Page 154 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
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12. The macaroni is the are able to
14. They
most common species consume

stones to aid
With an estimated 20 Shetland Islands among many others, with the animal
MACARONI PENGUIN million individuals in spreading far and wide – especially during foraging with digestion
Eudyptes chrysolophus existence, the macaroni trips – and frequently coming into contact with Scientists believe penguins will
Class Aves
penguin is the most scattered human settlements. actively consume small stones
numerous penguin Aside from its high numbers, the macaroni penguin along with food to aid digestion
species living on Earth is also known for its remarkable fasting behaviour. within their stomach. The stones
and millions of birds During the species’ breeding period the male fasts are also believed to add weight
Territory Subantarctic occupy a range that for around 37 days after the arrival of the egg, before and aid the birds’ diving.
Diet Carnivore
Lifespan 15-20 years stretches from the swapping with the mother for a ten-day period
Adult weight 15.5kg / 12lbs subantarctic to the to forage, while the female then fasts for 42 days
Conservation Status 15. An emperor
Antarctic Peninsula. straight. When the male eventually returns from
To be precise, at least foraging, it then proceeds to fast once more for a egg takes 67
216 colonies have been similar time frame.
VULNERABLE days to hatch

identified at over 50 Due to this extensive fasting habit, both male and As you may expect, the largest
different sites around female macaroni penguins lose between 35 and
the world. The macaroni penguin can be found from 40 per cent of their total body weight during the penguin species in the world –
the emperor penguin – has the
Chile, through the Falkland Islands and onto the South hatching and raising period.
longest incubation time in-egg
than any other, with it taking
“Macaroni penguins lose between 35 and 40 per over two months for any chick to
hatch into the world.
cent of their total body weight during the hatching
16. Most
and raising period” species lay two
Widespread species
Macaroni penguins living eggs at a time
on the snow-covered All penguins, aside from the
slopes of Cooper Bay,
Bluish-black plumage South Georgia. emperor and king species, tend
The macaroni has a black to lay two eggs in a nest made
plumage with a bluish sheen
when new and a brownish of stones, bones and moss. The
sheen when old, just prior to emperor and king penguins only
molting. ever lay one, however, and don’t
build nests but incubate the egg
on the tops of their feet to keep
them from the cold fl oor.
17. Penguins
breed during
Crested species spring and
The macaroni penguin
is one of six species of summer
penguin with a crest.
This stretches from the Aside from the emperor penguin,
centre of the forehead to which breeds during the cold of
the nape. the harsh Antarctic winter, all
other species of penguin breed
during the spring and summer
months, when generally
conditions are a lot warmer.

18. Male
emperors
13. 1 in every 50,000 penguins is born make very
with a unique brown plumage good fathers
As soon as a female emperor
Around 1 in 50,000 penguins is born as an backdrop of ice and snow, therefore off ering no penguin produces an egg, the
isabelline penguin. These unique and rare camouflage against predators, these isabelline male partner immediately takes

penguins are marked due to their distinctive variants tend to have shorter life expectancies over the caring duties, incubating
brown plumage, which is caused by a similar than regular penguins. the egg carefully on the top of his
biological process to albinism. Additionally, even if an isabelline penguin feet. While he’s doing this, the
Unfortunately, due to their brown plumage somehow survives against predation, it o en then

standing out against the animal’s native finds it difficult to mate, with the other penguins female emperor travels away on

a hunting and feeding trip.
LEFT Isabelline penguins are extremely rare with normal plumage overlooking it when the
and also have a shorter life expectancy breeding season arrives.
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