King Penguins–Aptenodytes Patagonicus–are found on island groups in the sub-Antarctic region (the South Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and southwest Pacific Ocean), including islands south of Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of King Penguins are their mating habits. They breed twice every three years. Each time they breed they lay one egg. The breeding season for King Penguins takes place during the winter. Eggs are laid anytime from November through April. The incubation period is around 54 days. It takes about 9 months for the chick to be fully fledged and up to 14 months to become independent.
When the female King Penguin lays her egg, she delicately passes it to her mate. The male incubates the egg for about 19 days, while the female is foraging at sea. When the female returns, the parents take turns incubating the egg until hatching, with each parent spending two to three weeks at a time incubating the egg while the other is foraging. Once the chick has hatched, both parents take care of the young.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, poachers used King Penguin oil, flesh, and eggs for fuel, food, and clothing. Laws against poaching were formed by the International Ornithological Congress in 1905 and by the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. Because of this protection, there are currently two million king penguin breeding pairs on planet earth.
Leave a note.