Emperor penguins spend most of their time on sea ice, which is firmly attached to the shore. However, the melting of glaciers in Antarctica is leading to a reduction in available habitats, threatening the survival of these birds and potentially causing high mortality rates.
Satellite images have shown that during the molting period, when penguins change their feathers for new waterproof ones, they face particular difficulties. During this time, the birds cannot dive into the water for food, making them vulnerable for several weeks.
New data indicates that the reduction in sea ice area forces penguins to gather in denser groups. If the ice melts prematurely, it could lead to the death of entire colonies. Scientists note that the worsening situation with the ice cover could shorten the lifespan of emperor penguins by several decades.
Every year, penguins migrate a thousand kilometers from the Ross Sea to the Marie Byrd Land in search of stable sea ice necessary for molting. Their waterproof feathers help retain heat but require regular lubrication with a special substance secreted from a gland at the base of their tail.
Molting occurs once a year and lasts from three to four weeks. During this period, penguins are on land, and before changing their feathers, they must increase their weight to cope with the fasting.
From 2022 to 2024, there has been a record low level of sea ice in Antarctica — its area has decreased from 500,000 square kilometers to 100,000.
Moreover, the situation is complicated by the slow reproduction rate of emperor penguins, which makes it difficult to recover their numbers, as reported by BAS experts.
