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Adélie penguins and their chicks with Palmer Long Term Ecological Research station in the background. (Credit: Palmer LTER Outreach) Adelie Penguin Profile Pygoscelis adeliae The Adélie penguin (Phygoscelis adeliae), a warm blooded , flightless bird, approximately 28 - 30 inches tall weighing up to 12 lbs. depending on the time of the year, has occupied territory on the western Antarctic Peninsula near Palmer Station for at least the last 500 years (Smith et al. 1999). Considered true Antarctic species, they are good indicator species, and exhibit life styles that are closely linked to the presence of sea ice (Fraser et al. 1992). Scientists from the Palmer Long Term Ecological research (LTER) project have been studying the Adélie penguin colonies Habitat Range: Antarctic Ocean for 30 years. Monitoring and recording their existence, scientists research what they eat, discover when they eat and where they go on land, closely observe their breeding success and track their geographic range and distribution. Adélie penguins are magnificently suited for a life in water and show a number of specialized adaptations to restrict heat loss for life around the Antarctic continent. They’re marine animals and their streamlined shape and short powerful flippers reduce drag and help propel them through the water. Other warm blooded animals use blubber for insulation but the penguin’s insulation is primarily furnished by its feathers. The feathers lock together trapping air against their bodies that is warmed by their own core temperature - a feature that can cause overheating for survival in warmer climates. Their ability to withstand the cold Antarctic water gives them access to huge food resources to which other birds may not have as much access. They typically use sea ice during their foraging trips to find food in the winter and are known to travel great distances and dive to great depths ( ~ 300 m / 985 feet) to find food. The Adélie can last up to 9 months relying on the pack ice to rest and huddle with others for warmth during their food-finding excursion. However, that is affected by the changes in the advance and retreat of sea ice at different times of the year. 1 Adélies feed primarily on krill (Euphausia superba) but are Fast Facts also known to eat fish, and squid moving with such Type: Marine seabird. purpose seeking areas of high prey availability which only Diet: Krill (Euphausia superba), fish (family Myctophidae), squid (and other cephalopods). occurs in specific regions (Mullen, 2007). The need to eat and feed their chicks must be balanced with the Adélies’ Lifespan: 5 - 16 years. ability to find and build good nests on land for breeding Size: Medium-sized (~ 28-30 inches) tall. purposes. They lay eggs that must be kept warm. Weight: 8.5 - 12 lbs. Therefore, couples come ashore and build nests out of Breed: Austral spring & summer (October - January). pebbles in areas where their is little to no snow, no meltwater from glaciers (Wilson et al. 1990), good Eggs: Lay 1 - 3 (average 2 ). commuting distance to a good food supply in nearby Known Predators: Leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) , Killer whales (Orcinus orca), South Polar Skuas (Stercorarius maccormicki), Sheathbills (Chionis albus). waters. Conservation: Low risk protection from predators and within reasonable Multimedia Hear an Adélie penguin Photo Gallery: Adélie penguins Adélie penguin printable sheet Antarctic animals connected to penguins Kri% Blue Whale 2 Publications Cerullo, Mary M. & Simmons, Beth E. (2008) Sea Secrets: Tiny Clues to a Big Mystery, Moonlight Publishing, Lafayette, Colorado. © Text and illustrations: The Regents of the University of California. ISBN: 0-9779603-9-0. Davis, Lloyd S & Renner, Martin (2003) Penguins, Yale University Press, New Haven and London. ISBN: 0-300-10277-1. Ducklow et al. (2007) Marine Pelagic Ecosystems: the Western Antarctic Peninsula, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 362, 67 - 94. Fraser et al. (1992) Increases in Antarctic penguin populations: Reduced competition with whales or a loss of sea ice due to environmental warming? Polar Biology 11:525-531. Mullen, William (2007) Penguins’ stru&le is a warning to world: Adélie penguins are early victims of a trend that could devastate coastlines. Chicago Tribune.com. Smith et al. (1999) Marine Ecosystem Sensitivity to Climate Change: Historical observations and paleoecological records reveal ecological transitions in the Antarctic Peninsula region. BioScience Vol. 49 No. 5: pages 393-404. Wilson et al (1990) The Impact of Man on Adélie penguins at Cape Ha%et, antarctica. Ecological Change and the Conservation of Antarctic Ecosystems. Proceedings of the SCAR Symposium on Antarctic Biology. Berlin: SpringerVerlag. 3