The penguins are very probably one of the most curious and striking birds, in addition, their appearance in many films, documentaries and series of cartoons has revealed the different species that exist, their predators and the habitats in which they live. Many of us think we know penguins, however, how do penguins reproduce? Are they oviparous or viviparous animals? How many offspring can a pair of penguins have during the breeding season?
In this article on our site we will explain how penguins reproduce and we will detail many other curiosities about these fascinating birds that never cease to amaze us as we get to know them. Are you interested in knowing more about the reproduction of these animals? Keep reading!
Penguin Types
Most times these animals are talked about in general, without taking into account that there are around 17 species of penguins We need this "around" because there is no consensus among biologists to determine whether there are a total of 16 or 19 species[1]
But, what are the different species of penguins that exist? The smallest is the blue penguin (Eudyptula minor), while the largest is the emperor penguin(Aptenodytes forster i). Some have easily noticeable distinctive features, as is the case of the Macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus), which have brightly colored head feathers. Or the rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), which, as their name suggests, have a tuft of yellow feathers on their heads.
The list with the highest consensus on types of penguins includes the following species:
- Hbumboldt's penguin or Peruvian penguin (Spheniscus humboldti)
- Cape Penguin, African Penguin or Spectacled Penguin (Spheniscus demersus)
- Magellanic penguin or Patagonian penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus)
- Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus)
- White-faced penguin, Schlegel's penguin, or King penguin (Eudyptes schlegeli)
- Snares Penguin (Eudyptes robustus)
- Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome)
- Macaroni Penguin or Yellow-fronted Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus)
- Thick-billed penguin or Fiordland penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus)
- Crested Penguin, Antipodean Penguin or Sclater's Penguin (Eudyptes sclateri)
- White-eyed penguin or Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)
- Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica)
- Papuan penguin or Juanito penguin (Pygoscelis papua)
- Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)
- King penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus)
- Blue penguin or dwarf penguin (Eudyptula minor)
- Yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes)
But in addition, there are some doubts about certain species. An example of this is the white-winged dwarf penguin (Eudyptula albosignata) considered by some authors to be a possible subspecies of blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) and not a species by yes baby
They can also be differentiated according to the place where they live, since they can live in different places and continents, in this way, we find penguins that live in southern Africa, while others live in the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica or in America, both north and south.
Penguin Habitat
But, Where do penguins live? They inhabit different regions of the planet, covering places as diverse as South Africa, Antarctica or islands like the Galapagos, being the only ones that are present in the northern hemisphere. All other penguin species live in the southern hemisphere of our planet.
We find them in very varied territories and, although it is often thought that they are animals that prefer cold climates, as is the case of the emperor penguin, some species prefer temperate climates. Of course, in no case will we find them in excessively hot climates, since their morphology, specially adapted to protect them from the cold, does not support arid or excessively hot conditions.
In any case, we will find them in the oceanic and coastal regions of the southern hemisphere, where the waters do not exceed temperatures above 28ºC. In addition, they will always choose rich and varied ecosystems where there is abundance of food
Playing the penguins
The reproductive strategy of penguins is sexual reproduction and, to be successful, requires two mature individuals, one male and a fertile female. It is important to point out that sexual maturity varies according to the species, being between 3 and 8 years of age. Once they are fully formed and the breeding season arrives, from spring to summer,will be ready to breed. Of course, in some species, as in the case of the king penguin, the reproduction cycle can be longer.
Courtship
The male will perform a courtship prior to mating that also varies depending on the species in which he tries to get their attention by cawing, preening and even building a nest. We must know that it is the females who choose their reproductive partner , a very important decision, since the male will accompany her and look for her throughout her life. Precisely as far as search is concerned, the ability of the penguins to locate their respective partners among hundreds or thousands of penguins when the breeding season arrives stands out.
Exhibition
Once the female chooses the male, there is a mutual display to strengthen the bond, announce a nesting territory or coordinate movements among them. Penguins of the genus Eudyptes, for example, often stand still in front of another individual while stretching out their heads, flapping their flippers, and wriggling. They can also bow, vibrate their fins, or squawk in unison.
Copulation
Each year, penguins return to the same territory with their colonies, defending their nesting grounds and searching for mates. In the case of not finding it, they can look for a new one, but it is rare. Then diverse copulations will occur Internal fertilization will therefore occur. Ovulation and fertilization occurs around 24 hours and a distance of a few days is maintained between the first egg and the following ones. In general, there is a laying of between 1 and 3 eggs
Some penguins, like the emperor penguin, do not build nests, while others, like the chinstrap penguin, use between 8 and 10 stones to create a nest to prevent the eggs from slipping or escaping. For their part, the eggs can be white, bluish or greenish, as well as more or less round.
Incubation
Once they have hatched the eggs, the penguins will take turns incubating, except for emperor penguins, keeping the egg at a temperature of 36ºC approximately. At the moment that one is taking care of the eggs, the other will come out to feed. However, it is precisely this fact that causes not all the eggs to survive, because when one of the parents does not return, the other may be tempted to leave the nest to feed as well.
How are penguins born?
Penguin clutches usually have between 1 and 2 eggs, although exceptionally there may be some with 3. However, Most often, only one manages to survive, generally the most adapted and developed. It will also depend on the care that the parents can offer once they are born.
In the following video you can watch the birth of two penguins, from the Penguins International channel:
Baby penguins
When penguins are born they lack plumage, which is why they are Very vulnerable to the cold of the areas they inhabit, since, in addition, they don't have a high percentage of body fat to help insulate their body. It is precisely for this reason that their parents will take care of them until they grow up.
Both parents will feed them frequently, regurgitating food, providing warmth and defending them from possible predators, such as seagulls. In addition, a recognition is produced through vocalizations, a very valuable tool that parents will have to find their little ones.
Emperor Penguin Reproduction
The emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is the largest of all the penguins and has special characteristics when it comes to reproducing. It weighs between 20 and 45 kilograms and has a maximum height of 1.2 meters. It is one of the species that differs most in what is mentioned above. For example, they keep their eggs at a lower temperature, around 31ºC and the males are in charge of taking care of the eggs and incubating them
They also have the custom of using "nurseries", in which the entire group of penguins takes care of their own young and those of the other members of the group, thus favoring theirsurvival In this way parents can go in search of food in turns, leaving their children safe.
Penguin trivia
Penguins are very curious birds, here are some interesting facts about them:
- They are birds monogamous and choose a partner for life (or until the current one dies).
- If a pair loses their egg, they often try to steal theirs from another pair of penguins.
- Penguins can live in places where the climate is not cold, such as southern Africa.
- Penguins can drink s alt water, as they have a gland that filters the water and removes excess sodium.
- Penguins don't fly, although they use their wings to swim.
And many more, of course, we cannot say that penguins are not some of the most curious and interesting wild animals that exist! Don't you think?
