Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae Genus: Aptenodytes forsteri Common Name: Emperor Penguin
Biology The emperor penguins hunch their head into their shoulders to maintain streamlined shape and reduce drag while swimming. Also their feather provede them 80-90% insulation and can thermoregulate without affecting its metabolism.
Morphology The emporer penguin has bilateral symmetry. This penguin is built strong and bulky with solid bones. They have a black water proof coat and white belly (counyershading). These penguins can weigh 50-100 punds and 3-4 feet tall. It's body is adapted fo swiming with a short tail and webbed feet.
Importance The ecological importance of emperor penguins is strictly to survive and keep the population going and they are predators for small fish and crustaceans. The economic importance is in Peru and Chile their eggs arecollected hunted. Also historically they were hunted for oil from the layer of fat under their skin.
Vocabulary 1. Thermoregulate- regulate one's own body temperature. 2. Extremeties- hands and feet. 3. Flippers- a broad flat limb, without fingers used for swimming. 4. Harsh- unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses. 5. Pouch- a small bag, typically for carrying.
Facts 1. To limit heat loss, the emperor penguin's extremities are smaller, icluding flippers that ae 25% smaller than other penguin species. 2. Their feathers are tightly packed in multiple laters for the harsh weather conditions. 3. The chicks are born siler-grey with a black mask around the face. 4. After the mother lays an egg, it is immidiately transferred to the father's pouch where it stays until it hatches. 5. The father losses over half its body weight while keeping hte egg warm and safe while the mother makes a long journey to sea for food.