How Do Emperor Penguins Sleep?
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The Penguin Class
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There are 17 species of the penguin class, of which the emperor is the largest (Aptenodytes forsteri). Emperor Penguins are also the tallest and heaviest kind of penguin. An average penguin is as tall as 45 inches and weighs approximately 60 to 90 pounds. The smallest penguin, the fair penguin, is about 16 inches tall and weighs only about 2 pounds. Penguins dwell on the Antarctic ice and in the freezing waters. However, penguins possess physiologically adaptive abilities and cooperative behaviors so that they can function and acclimatize to extremely cold and freezing environments. The wind chills where penguins dwell can actually reach 76 degrees F (-60 degrees Celsius).
The Way Penguins Keep Warm
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Penguins huddle together so that they can avoid the freezing wind chill, conserve energy and to get warm. While in their huddle, penguins take turns sharing the protected, toastier central area of the group. After a penguin has warmed up, the penguin will then move to the outside area so that other penguins can have a turn to enjoy warmth and get a break from the icy cold weather. These huddle sessions are necessary because emperor penguins spend such a long time on ice.
Penguins have an upright posture and their body shape is tapered like many other mammals'. A penguin's colors are generally black and white. They have a short tail and hind limbs that are in the back of their bodies. Their forelimbs are like flippers, and their feet are webbed. Penguins' distinctive facial and head features and markings are what distinguish them from other penguin classes.
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How Does Emperor Penguins and Others Sleep?
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Some penguins sleep on land and icebergs. Some penguins also sleep while floating at sea. When sleeping on land, penguins have a choice to either sleep laying down or standing, and sometimes they even sleep with their heads tucked below their wing.
How Does the Emperor Penguins Sleep?
Emperor penguins sleep at a rookery at Cape Crozier. The male penguins sleep there all night to stay with their eggs. Emperor penguins also huddle together while sitting out the Antarctic winter night on the rocks. The dense rocks, however, are very cold under the emperor penguin's feet. If they lay down on the cold rocks, their bodies, which are not very insulated against the cold, will lose their heating abilities. However, if they stand up on the rocks and sleep, only their well-padded and insulated feet are exposed to the dense rock chill and they are better able to deal with the freezing environment.
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