We will explain the characteristics, ecology, and habitat of king penguins. It is the next largest penguin after the emperor penguin and is very large, and its chicks can also be quite large. Their breeding grounds are a little far from Antarctica, so there are not many opportunities to meet people.
Basic information about King Penguin
King penguin is also known as king penguin. The second largest type of penguin, the body length is about 85-95 cm and the weight is 10-16 kg. It is a bird classified in the genus King Penguin of the order Penguinidae and is the same species as the emperor penguin.
| Japanese（和名） | キングペンギン、オウサマペンギン |
| English（英名） | King Penguin |
| scientific name(学名) | Aptenodytes patagonicus |
| classification（分類） | Sphenisciformes, Spheniscidae, Aptenodytes ペンギン目ペンギン科オウサマペンギン属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Height（身長） | 85-95cm |
| Weight（体重） | 10-16kg |
What’s going on in taxonomy?
In 1778, British illustrator John Frederick Miller published a hand-colored print of a king penguin. As a result, this species gained attention and became known as the largest penguin, earning it the nickname “King.” However, an even larger emperor penguin was discovered and was given the name “Emperor”.
| 名前 : Name | 属名 : genus name | 生息地 : Habitat |
| コウテイペンギン(Emperor Penguin) | Aptenodytes コウテイペンギン属 | Antarctica |
| キングペンギン(King Penguin) | Aptenodytes コウテイペンギン属 | South Atlantic, Indian Ocean |
About the king penguin habitat
King penguins mainly live on South Georgia Island and the Falkland Islands, but can also be found on Kergren Island, Heard Island, Macquarie Island, Crozet Islands, and Prince Edward Islands, near the South American continent but not in Antarctica. Records show that they live close to the habitats of Gentoo and Adelie penguins, and can be seen on icy islands. On land, their large yellow and orange walking forms can be photographed and viewed online.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
King penguins have black feathers on the outside of their heads and flippers, and look quite similar to emperor penguins. Their backs are gray, and the sides of their heads around their ears are orange. Their beaks are large, slender, and slightly curved, making them the longest of all penguins. In the sea, penguins’ legs extend from their bodies and act as rudders. The parents use their large bodies and beaks to get food for their chicks in the nest.
What will your personality look like?
King penguins are calm and non-aggressive. King penguins have a habit of moving in groups, are said to be a species that is less prone to conflicts, and have a weak sense of territory. They are said to be cooperative animals because they act in groups to get food. They are also very courageous and will not run away even if a human approaches them.
What is the ecology of king penguins?
King penguins are territorial and form colonies. When chicks are born, they form a “creche,” a group of the same size as in the wild. This is to survive the cold and to protect themselves from predators. Research has shown that they can swim at an average speed of 8.4 km per hour and dive to depths of more than 220 meters. They eat sardines, squid, and crustaceans. During the breeding season, they store 3.2 to 3.6 kg of food per day, including food for maintaining and recovering weight and feeding the chicks. Egg-laying peaks in early summer, from mid-December to January. Males and females take turns incubating the eggs, which hatch in about 54 days. They are said to live for about 20 years.
What is the king penguin’s natural enemy?
Predators include killer whales and leopard seals, and predators of eggs and chicks include skuas, giant petrels, and snow-billed plovers. King penguins are large, but there are surprisingly many predators, and you can see that they are quite dangerous.
Are king penguins an endangered species?
King penguins are a species of least concern by the IUCN. However, the outlook for the future is quite pessimistic, and the possibility of extinction is extremely high. The reason is as follows. The estimated population is stable at 1,638,000, but the future is quite bleak.
70% of king penguins suddenly disappear within 80 years
King penguins are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change on marine biomes across the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions. They mainly forage in the Antarctic Convergence Area, and it is said that if the climate changes, they will not be able to procure food. Some experts predict that 70% of fish will disappear by 2100 due to ocean warming and the fish that they feed on will disappear from their breeding grounds.
Competition with fishing industry
The human population is also increasing, and competition with fishermen is becoming a problem. Securing food is becoming difficult. These two concerns have led experts to recommend that the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) introduce “large-scale, fully protected marine reserves in the waters around Antarctica.”
Is it possible to keep king penguins?
King penguins are difficult to raise. It will be necessary to secure a veterinarian, a facility that can maintain room temperature, and fish. Also, note that you will need to prepare a pool and a den, so it will cost some money.
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