What is special about the Adelie penguin?
The Adélie is the littlest species of penguin in the Antarctic. It might look cute and a bit clumsy on land but don’t be fooled, these birds are feisty. They’ve been known to take on potential predators – seals or large seabirds – or even attack visiting researchers with their flippers.
Are Adelie penguins The smallest penguins?
These penguins are mid-sized, being 46 to 71 cm (18 to 28 in) in height and 3.6 to 6.0 kg (7.9 to 13.2 lb) in weight. Distinctive marks are the white ring surrounding the eye and the feathers at the base of the bill. They are a little smaller than most other penguin species.
What kind of fish do Adélie penguins eat?
krill
Diet. Adélies feed on tiny aquatic creatures, such as shrimp-like krill, but also eat fish and squid. They have been known to dive as deep as 575 feet in search of such quarry, though they usually hunt in far shallower waters less than half that depth. Like other penguins, Adélies are sleek and efficient swimmers.
Do Adélie penguins have fur?
Adélie penguins have the characteristic black and white plumage familiar to all penguins, but the distinguishing feature is the white ring around the eye and red bill. They have a thick layer of fat to keep them warm in cold climates, and feathers provide a waterproof coating.
What animals eat Adelie penguins?
So far, scientists know that these penguins can swim more than 1200 km away from their breeding site. Their main predators are leopard seals, and also skuas who take eggs and chicks from breeding colonies.
How big are Adelie penguins compared to other penguins?
Adélie penguins are named after Adéle d’Urville, the wife of the French Antarctic explorer Dumont d’Urville. What do Adélie penguins look like? In comparison to other penguin species, Adélie penguins are mid-sized, ranging from 18 to 28 in (46–71 cm) in height and weighing 7.9 to 13.2 lb (3.6–6 kg).
What do Adelie penguins do in the ocean?
Adélie Penguins are excellent swimmers and can dive to depths of up to 175 metres in search of prey. They forage for crustaceans, fish and squid in the Southern Ocean. Their black and white plumage provides good camouflage from predators, including leopard seals and killer whales, when foraging.
Where do Adelie penguins congregate in large groups?
Adélie penguins are highly social animals that congregate in large groups known as colonies. One of the largest penguin colonies is on Ross Island, where more than half a million Adélie penguins aggregate. What are the main threats to Adélie penguins?
Are there any threats to the Adelie penguin?
They are classified as least concern on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In terms of threats, Adélie penguins have no land-based predators, but in the water, they are at risk of predation from leopard seals and killer whales.