by Frank
EMPEROR PENGUIN FACTS
- tallest and heaviest of all the penguin species
- live in Antarctica
- 1.1- 1.3 meters tall
- live for about 20 years
- scientific name is Aptenodytes forsteri
- near threatened to be endangered (population is stable)
- weigh about 23 kg for both male and female after breeding season
- often huddle to keep warm in freezing temperatures
- eat krill, fish, and squid
- dive about to 550m down and hold their breath for about 20 minutes
| Penguin family Looking up | Penguin family Looking down |
|---|---|
 Two adult Emperor Penguins with a juvenile on Snow Hill Island, Antarctica. |  PHOTO CREDIT Male and female emperor penguins look alike. David Tipling, Getty Images |
EMPEROR PENGUIN ADAPTATIONS FOR STAYING UNDERWATER
- adaptations in the penguin’s blood and muscle tissues for increasing oxygen help during an underwater dive
- ultra-sensitive hemoglobin present in the penguins’ red blood cells allows the penguins to effectively use every last molecule of oxygen in their system for diving
- blood is mostly sent to the heart, brain and other major organs
- penguin hemoglobin is so effective that penguins can continue diving when other animals would suffer from severe tissue damage
- the penguin’s muscle tissues also helps it breathe efficiently underwater
- penguin’s muscle tissues can store additional oxygen by using large amounts of the blood protein myoglobin
- special enzyme allows the penguin’s muscles to work without the presence of oxygen while neutralizing lactic acid buildup
- When the penguins reach the surface and return to normal breathing, they can expel this buildup of lactic acid.
- To further save on oxygen consumption, penguins lower their heart rate to five beats per a minute
- by using less energy, these birds are able to make their diving time longer
SOURCES
Mangaly, Jennifer. “How Do Penguins Breathe Underwater?” sciencing.com, https://sciencing.com/penguins-breathe-underwater-4566655.html. 13 January 2020.
https://io9.gizmodo.com/how-do-emperor-penguins-survive-underwater-long-after-t-5800860