The Imperial Penguins (Aptenodytes Forsteri) is the largest type of penguins from the now living representatives of the family. Penguins are very funny creatures, with a characteristic color, which makes them similar to men in tuxedo.

They can dive to a depth of 550 miles and detain their breath for a while up to 20 minutes! Penguins live mostly in the southern hemisphere, on the coast of Antarctica, sometimes they are found on the shores of New Zealand. Only one species nests a little north of the equator - in the Galapagos Islands, and is tropical penguins.

These non-flying birds, including the largest type of penguins, excellent swimmers. Wings, which in the process of evolution turned into peculiar oars, help this clumsy on land birds are fast and dexterous under water. Penguins are mostly feeding on fish and squid, sometimes crustaceans.

Living conditions Penguins

Penguins live in very harsh climatic conditions, where strong frosts and snow storms reign. Therefore, despite the thick plumage, most of them, including the largest type of penguins, are often knight in close flocks. They form huge colonies that may include more than 30 thousand. birds. This allows them to provide themselves with a sufficient amount of heat. The largest colonies are up to a million individuals.

Listen to Penguin's voice

Penguins arrange their nests in cracks and crevices of rocks or land. Chicks quickly become independent and after 2 months together with other kids are going to, the so-called kindergarten. Thanks to such an organization, parents can go hunting without worrying about children. Young penguins of the biggest type of penguins are imperial, most of the time spend in kindergarten, and parents come only to feed their chicks. When the body of a young penguin will cover the "adult" plumage, he leaves the colony and goes to the open sea for self-searches.

Do you know that …

• Some types of penguins can develop at water speed up to 20 km / h.
• The largest imperial penguin reached 1.4 m height and weighed 45 kg.
• Representatives of the largest penguins can remain under water for 18 minutes and dive to a depth of 565 meters.
• When plotting penguins, their heart beats slower, so blood circulates in the body slowly, and the body consumes less oxygen.
• Penguins feathers cover the body like tiles. The skin does not contact with water and not cooled.
• During the breeding season of the imperial penguins - in May, in the Antarctic, the lowest temperature on Earth.
• Sitting the chick usually takes on the male, and the female is looking for food.
• Penguins's eyes are very sensitive to blue and green. Thanks to this feature, penguins are great even in conditions of very low light and successfully hunt even in the dark depths of the sea.

Several facts about the largest penguins - Imperial Penguin (Aptenodytes Forsteri)

• There are 270 - 350 thousand individuals.
• Height: 120-140 cm.
• Weight: 20-45 kg.
• Life expectancy: about 20 years, sometimes up to 40 years

Despite the exclusive popularity of penguins, most of their species will not differ as sailors. But for the sake of justice it should be noted that it is a very difficult thing.

The largest penguin is Imperial, or Forsteri (Aptenodytes Forsteri). It dwells only on the coast of Antarctica and in the water directly adjacent to it. This penguin is named after D. Forster - Naturalist of the circular expedition of Captain D. Cook. In the temperate zone, his close royal penguin replaces it (A. patagonica), which nests on the islands scattered in the southern ocean. The imperial penguin reaches 120 cm, the royal bed is slightly less than 1 m. On both species, orange spots having a view of large quotes are highlighted on the sides of the neck. At the Royal Penguin Orange painted and the front of the neck.

Distribution with the Royal Penguin spread has a Papua Penguin (Pygoscelis Papua). In addition, it nests on the Antarctic Peninsula with neighboring islands. This is a medium-sized penguin, about 75 cm high. From other species, it is easy to distinguish between the white strip, which passes through the darkness from the eye to the eye. In our literature it is mistakenly often called dony. But the present name of the Papuan Penguin is a zoological incident, because In New Guinea, penguins do not live. Under this title, he described the same D. Forster, whose name was wearing an imperial penguin.

On the coast of Antarctica and in the Antarctic Peninsula area nests the most famous among penguins - Penguin Adeli (P. ADELIAE), which is the name of the beautiful wife of the head of the French Antarctic Expedition, who studied the studies in the 1930th century, D''Yurville, in honor of which one of Seas, wash Antarctica. Adeli has a typical penguin painting: dark fractures and head, snow-white belly and chest. Around the eye is a noticeable white ring. There are no other types of penguins like adels.

The Antarctic Penguin (P. Antarctica) is also easily different from other species, which nests in the Antarctic Islands and in the Antarctic Peninsula area. Unlike the Penguin, Adeli on his head, he only had a shape, from which a "dark" strap is going to the chin.

Very similar to the painting of the Penguin Galapagos (SPHENISCUS Mendiculus), speaking, or donkey (S. delersus), Magellan (S. Magellanicus) and Humboldt, or Peruvian (S. Humboldti). Penguin Humboldt, named after the outstanding German geographer, nests along the Peruvian coast south to approximately 38 degrees of southern latitude. In the coloring of his plumage, white horseshoe stains passing over the eye through the head on the top of the chest, as well as the dark flat, intercepting the white chest and continued on the sides of the body. In the southern regions of the Pacific Coast of South America, Magellan Penguin is replaced. But between 32 and 38 degrees Yu. sh. Areas of these species are landed, i.e. Both types are encountered together. Magellan Penguin also lives in the moderate waters of South America from the Atlantic side and on Falkland (Malvinian) islands. The alternation of white and dark bands from this species is such that the chest is intercepted by two dark stripes, and not one like the Penguin Humboldt.

The Penguin of Humboldt looks like a donkey penguin who lives only in the southern coast of Africa. You cannot confuse him here, since in the waters of Africa, other types of penguins are found. And his donkey was nicknamed for a loud and unpleasant cry. On Magellanova Penguin looks like Galapagos, which, however, is inferior to him in size. He lives only in the Galapagos Islands, where there are no other types of penguins.

The next family group penguins are from 6 species, and all the golden beams that give these penguins, on the one hand, are exotic, and on the other hand, are exotic, and on the other hand. The most famous chrysocome (Eudyptes Chrysocome), or "Penguin, jumping along the rocks". It nests on most islands over the entire moderate zone of the Southern Ocean. Yellow feathers at a crested penguin begins not far from the nostrils and very effectively shakes the fan behind the eyes. In the title "Jumping on the rocks" noticed his manner moving around - to repel immediately with both legs. He jumps into the water with the shore of the "soldier", and does not dive like other penguins.

On the islands of the moderate area of \u200b\u200bthe Atlantic and Indookean sectors of the Southern Ocean and in the Antarctic Peninsula area, the gold-haired penguin (E. chrysolophus) of yellow, and rather golden feathers on his head is greater than that of a crested penguin. Their beams begin with the level of the middle of the eyes and how the hair is lowered behind the eye to the back.

The same gold-haired hairstyle at Penguin Schlegeli (E. Schlegeli), the distribution of which is limited to Makuori Island, located a little south of the New Zealand plateau. It is easy to distinguish on white sides of the head. The remaining 3 types of this group live in the area of \u200b\u200bNew Zealand south of the Cook Strait. This is Snerasky Crested Penguin (E.Robustus), Tolstockly, or Victoria Penguin (E. Pachyrhynchus) and a big crested penguin (E. sclateri). The first two types are indistinguishable. Yellow feathers have a kind of thick eyebrows, somewhat expanding at the nape, and in a large crested penguin "eyebrows" will be angry up.

In the southern part of the New Zealand district, a magnificent, or yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodus) dwells. On his head, he passes a yellow band through his head. The remaining part of the head is screened with yellowish.

All the above penguins, except the imperial and royal, have medium sizes - about 65-75 cm. Inside - about 50 cm - only Galapagos Penguin. But he is not the smallest. There are two more species whose height is only about 40 cm. This is blue, or small (Eudyptula minor) and a blonde (E. albosignata) penguins. The first dwells around the main islands of New Zealand, on the islands of chats and the southern coast of Australia, the second - only in the east coast of New Zealand. Compared to other penguins, they are unpleasured - white bottom, bluish monophonic top. Young birds in all types of penguins have less contrasting color.

With penguins, a lot of events are connected from the history of the seaflines and studies of the Southern Ocean, and the names of some species have a romantic origin. Many pages of this topic, for example, dedicated in his book "Penguins" the famous American scientist G. Simpson. By the way, and the penguins did not receive their current name. So initially called an overweight gagark - a bird from a family of cleansing, living until the middle of the XIX century in North Atlantic. Gagarka had a completely "penguin" coloring - white chest and belly, dark spin and head. On land, she also kept "Penguini", i.e. Almost vertically. Gagark did not know how to fly, and her wings had the kind of small lists. Pin-Wing, i.e. The stiletto-wing is such, one of the versions, the appearance of the title of Penguin. And in the scientific literature, loony gagark appears under the "Penguin" title - Pinguinus Impennnis.

As G. Simpson writes, the first Europeans who saw the real southern penguins were sailors of the expeditions of Vasco da Gama - in 1497. At the southern coast of Africa, and Magelana - at 1520. The southeastern coast of South America. In the descriptions of these swimming pools, penguins have not yet appeared under the modern name. Strange, but most often unusual birds were compared with geese. Only at the end of the XVI century. Southern birds began to call penguins and transferred this name to the southern hemisphere, apparently, the English sailors who were familiar with the outless Gagarka. To avoid confusion, the famous French Naturalist Baffon introduced in the XVIII century. For southern birds, the name of the manchoty, i.e. clumsy. But it did not get distribution, and for a long time in most languages \u200b\u200bthe word was entrenched, close by sound with our. Yes, and it is no longer confused by anyone, because hazardous gagark in the middle of the XIX century extinct.

Penguins

Despite the exclusive popularity of penguins, most of their species will not differ as sailors. But for the sake of justice it should be noted that it is a very difficult thing.

The largest penguin is the Imperial, or Forster. It dwells only on the coast of Antarctica and in the water directly adjacent to it. This penguin is named after D. Forster - Naturalist of the circular expedition of Captain D. Cook. In the temperate zone, his close royal penguin replaces him, which nests on the islands scattered in the southern ocean. The imperial penguin reaches 120 cm, the royal bed is slightly less than 1 m. On both species, orange spots having a view of large quotes are highlighted on the sides of the neck. At the Royal Penguin Orange painted and the front of the neck.

Distribution with the Royal Pingguin spreads the Papuan Penguin. In addition, it nests on the Antarctic Peninsula with neighboring islands. This is a medium-sized penguin, about 75 cm high. From other species, it is easy to distinguish between the white strip, which passes through the darkness from the eye to the eye. In our literature it is mistakenly often called dony. But the present name of the Papuan Penguin is a zoological incident, because In New Guinea, penguins do not live. Under this title, he described the same D. Forster, whose name was wearing an imperial penguin.

On the coast of Antarctica and in the Antarctic Peninsula area nests the most famous among penguins - Penguin Adeli, which is the name of the beautiful wife of the head of the French Antarctic Expedition, who has conducted a study in the 1930th century, D''Yurville, in honor of which one of the seas, wash Antarctica named. Adeli has a typical penguin painting: dark fractures and head, snow-white belly and chest. Around the eye is a noticeable white ring. There are no other types of penguins like adels.

It is easily different from other species and the Antarctic Penguin, which nests on the Penartarctic Islands and in the Antarctic Peninsula area. Unlike the Penguin, Adeli on his head, he only had a shape, from which a "dark" strap is going to the chin.

Very similar to the color of the penguins Galapagos, spectacular, or donkey, Magellan and Humboldt, or Peruvian. Penguin Humboldt, named after the outstanding German geographer, nests along the Peruvian coast south to approximately 38 degrees of southern latitude. In the coloring of his plumage, white horseshoe stains passing over the eye through the head on the top of the chest, as well as the dark flat, intercepting the white chest and continued on the sides of the body. In the southern regions of the Pacific Coast of South America, Magellan Penguin is replaced. But between 32 and 38 degrees Yu. sh. Areas of these species are landed, i.e. Both types are encountered together. Magellan Penguin also lives in the moderate waters of South America from the Atlantic side and on Falkland (Malvinian) islands. The alternation of white and dark bands from this species is such that the chest is intercepted by two dark stripes, and not one like the Penguin Humboldt.

The Penguin of Humboldt looks like a donkey penguin who lives only in the southern coast of Africa. You cannot confuse him here, since in the waters of Africa, other types of penguins are found. And his donkey was nicknamed for a loud and unpleasant cry. On Magellanova Penguin looks like Galapagos, which, however, is inferior to him in size. He lives only in the Galapagos Islands, where there are no other types of penguins.

The next family group penguins are from 6 species, and all the golden beams that give these penguins, on the one hand, are exotic, and on the other hand, are exotic, and on the other hand. The most famous crested, or "Penguin, jumping along the rocks". It nests on most islands over the entire moderate zone of the Southern Ocean. Yellow feathers at a crested penguin begins not far from the nostrils and very effectively shakes the fan behind the eyes. In the title "Jumping on the rocks" noticed his manner moving around - to repel immediately with both legs. He jumps into the water with the shore of the "soldier", and does not dive like other penguins.

On the islands of the moderate zone of the Atlantic and Indookean sectors of the Southern Ocean and in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Antarctic Peninsula, the gold-haired penguin of yellow, and rather golden feathers on his head is more than that of a crested penguin. Their beams begin with the level of the middle of the eyes and how the hair is lowered behind the eye to the back.

The same gold-haired hairstyle at Penguin Schlegel is the spread of which is limited to Makuori Island, located a little south of the New Zealand plateau. It is easy to distinguish on white sides of the head. The remaining 3 types of this group live in the area of \u200b\u200bNew Zealand south of the Cook Strait. This is a snarsky crested penguin, a thick-frustral, or penguin Victoria and a big crested penguin. The first two types are indistinguishable. Yellow feathers have a kind of thick eyebrows, somewhat expanding at the nape, and in a large crested penguin "eyebrows" will be angry up.

In the southern part of the New Zealand district, a magnificent, or yellow-eyed penguin lives. On his head, he passes a yellow band through his head. The rest of the head is yellowish and the rest of the head is chosen.

All the above penguins, except the imperial and royal, have medium sizes - about 65-75 cm. Inside - about 50 cm - only Galapagos Penguin. But he is not the smallest. There are two more types whose height is only about 40 cm. This is blue, or small and white and white penguins. The first dwells around the main islands of New Zealand, on the islands of chats and the southern coast of Australia, the second - only in the east coast of New Zealand. Compared to other penguins, they are unpleasured - white bottom, bluish monophonic top. Young birds in all types of penguins have less contrasting color.

Penguins are beautiful, funny and bold birds. They are awkward on land and very graceful in water. Many people believe that Penguins can be found only in Antarctica or in zoos, but this is not true. Only 3 types of penguins constantly live there, the rest live in warmer edges. In this article 7 places where you can meet these wonderful birds.

1. Antarctica

The harsh continent with eternal ice and temperatures -40/60 degrees is a permanent habitat of only 3 types of penguins: imperial, adels and antarctic.

The Imperial Penguin is the largest representative of the Penguin family. Their growth, on average, 122 cm, and the weight is 45-60 kg. Despite its large sizes, this species is the most cautious and grateful. When the danger is approaching, a real panic rises in the colony, - Bursting, penguins even throw their eggs.
Birth of the baby Imperial Penguin on this video:

Adeli is the most common type of penguins. They are distinguished by special gullibility, and the habits remotely resemble a person. From March to October, poultry in the ocean, removing from the nesting sites by 600-700 km, and to the beginning of the polar summer, the colonies are building nests and the offspring is sitting.

Antarctic penguins live on the coast of Antarctica, from America, to South Georgia, Buvet and Ballets. These funny birds have an unusual color - from the ear to their ear, the neck is decorated with a thin black strip, similar to a smile.

2. Africa

Pointing penguins chosen the hot coast of Africa, which is washes cold Bengelege. Today they have 140-180 thousand individuals. Big Penguin Colonia lives at Cape of Good Hope. Many tourists come there to look at unusual inhabitants, and the penguins themselves, living next to people, became more sociable. According to the stories of travelers, they are close to themselves, and sometimes they are pleased to grow in human things and can even steal something.

Fun African Penguins:

3. The coast of Australia

Australian Penguin is also called small, blue, and in the people - an elf for his unusual color. This is the smallest view: the body length ranges from 30 to 40 cm, and the weight is about 1 kg. Australian penguins inhabit the island of Phillip Island, which annually attracts thousands of tourists with a daily Penguin parade. The duration of this funny action is 50 minutes, most of which are small penguins spend on fighting waves. Then they are going to groups of 10 - 50 individuals in the surf at the edge of the water, and as if by the team, they begin to march the go to the sandy hills, where their holes are located.

On this video, the exciting parade of small penguins:

4. The coast of Argentina

The Shetland and Orkney Islands inhabit the Royal Penguins, which are considered among the biggest penguins on the planet, are only the imperial. The body length of this bird is from 91 centimeters to 1 meter. Unusual inhabitants are protected by the Latin American authorities, which has a positive effect on their populations.

5. The coast of Peru and Chile

Humboldt's Penguins were chosen by the Peruvian coast, and sometimes they can be found in Chile. The big colony of these birds stretched from the Peruvian Island of Fock to Chilean Algalrobo, where the cold Peruvian current passes. The number of Penguins of Humboldt every year decreases, now there are 12,000 pairs of them.

6. South Atlantica

One of the most rare among penguins.

Islands from the south of the Southern Island to the Campbell Archipelago - the habitat of the most rare magnificent penguins. Unlike other individuals, these birds live in pairs and rarely gather in the colony. Gorgeous penguins are considered extinct and are protected.
Penguins are very funny on land, fast and graceful in water, but absolutely not able to fly. However, in the aquarium

Did you like this article? Then, jim.

Antarctica is a continent with harsh climatic conditions. The temperature on most of the mainland never rises above the freezing point, and the entire continent is covered with ice. Nevertheless, the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica is one of the most amazing ecosystems on Earth and is home to many incredible creatures.

Most animals are migrating, since the climate of the continent is too complicated for permanent stay and wintering.

At the same time, many species are found only in Antarctica (animals that live only in one area are called endemic) and managed to be perfectly adapted to the habitat. Since Antarctica was discovered only 200 years ago, local species were not accustomed to human society, which leads to one of the most amazing features of Antarctica wild animals: people are so interesting for them as they are for people. For visitors, this means that most animals can be approached, and they will not run away, and for researchers - the ability to better explore the Fauna Antarctica. However, it is necessary to take into account the fact that Antarctic agreements prohibit touches the wild animals!

In this article, we have formed a list with a brief description and photos, some famous representatives of the fauna of the coldest continent on the planet - Antarctica.

See also:

Mammals

Whales

Whales are among the most mysterious and amazing creatures on Earth. Blue Whale is the biggest animal ever living on the planet, with weight of more than 100 tons, they easily outweigh the most severe dinosaurs. Even the "ordinary" whale has huge sizes and is considered truly an impressive creation of nature. Whales are huge, but elusive mammals, and they are difficult to explore. They are very clever, with a difficult social life and complete freedom of movement.

Whales belong to the detachment of mammals, called, along with dolphins and marine pigs. They are the same mammals, like people, dogs, cats, elephants and others. That is, they can not be called fish. Whales breathe air and therefore should climb the surface at regular intervals to do inhale. They give birth to the lively young who remain with the mother during the year and feed on her milk. Whales are warm-blood and have a similar skeleton (although strongly modified).

Kitami Antarctica is called all whales, which are at least part of the time per year, spend near the coast of the continent. These include:

• Blue whale (the average length of the adult male 25 m, females - 26.2 m. The average body weight of the adult individual - 100 - 120 tons);
• Southern smooth whale (average length 20 m, and weight - 96 tons);
• (Body length 18 m, weight - 80 tons);
• (Length from 18 to 27 m, weight 40-70 tons);
• Cachelot (average length of 17 m, average weight 35 tons);
• Humpback whale (medium length 14 m, weight - 30 tons);
• (Length - 9 m, weight - 7 ton);
• Kitka (body length from 8.7 to 10 m, weight up to 8 tons).

Kergelen sea cat

Kergelen sea cat belongs to the family known as eared seals (Otariidae)which includes sea cats and sea lions.

In appearance and manner, these mammals resemble a big dog. They are capable of tightening the rear flippers under the body and raise their weight with the front flips, so much more flexible on land, compared with other lastonous.

The males reach the mass of 200 kg and in 4 times more than females. They are limited mainly to the Sunterctic Islands, with a 95% population on the island of South Georgia.

Sea Leopard.

The named sea leopard because of the spots by the body, he is one of the largest predators in Antarctica. The weight of males is up to 300 kg, and females - 260-500 kg. The length of the males body varies within 2.8-3.3 m, and females of 2.9-3.8 m.

Nutrition of sea leopards is very diverse. They can eat any animal that can kill. The diet consists of fish, squid, penguins, birds and cubs of seals.

Sea leopards are not skillful divers, compared with other marine mammals. The longest immersion does not last more than 15 minutes, so animals remain close to open water, and not immerse themselves over long distances under continuous ice. They are able to float at a speed of up to 40 km / h.

Seal-crazed

Tyleny-crazes are believed to be the most numerous large mammals of the continent. Adults weigh 200-300 kg and have a body length of about 2.6 m. The sexual dimorphism has not expressed in these seals. These are rather single animals, but they can lie in small groups, which creates the impression of the social family. Real connection is possible between mothers and their young.

They do not eat crab, despite their name. Their diet is 95% consists of Antarctic krill, the rest is squid and fish. They are well adapted for catching krill due to teeth, which form a sieve to catch the extraction of water.

Since sealing-crazes feed in Mostly Krem, they do not need to dive deeply and for a long time. A typical immersion at a depth of 20-30 m, lasts about 11 minutes, but they have been recorded at a depth of 430 m.

Tyleny Weddela

Weddell's seals are mammals that live on ice. The weight of adults varies in the range of 400-450 kg, and the body length is 2.9 m (in males) and 3.3 m (in females).

Food is mainly fish, as well as squid and invertebrates in much smaller quantities. Weddell's seals are excellent divers, they are able to dive with a depth of 600 meters and carry out under water up to 82 minutes.

The size of the population of these animals is rather difficult to estimate, as they live near the polar circle and on drifting ice.

Southern Sea Elephant

The southern sea elephants are the largest of all seals and show a noticeable sexual dimorphism. The weight of males varies in the range of 1500-3700 kg, and females - 350-800 kg. The length of the body of males is 4.5-5.8 m, and females - 2.8 m.

The diet consists mainly of squid, but the fish is also present (about 75% squid and up to 25% of the fish). Male, as a rule, go further south, pursuing their prey.

Southern sea elephants - impressive divers, plunge on a depth of 300-500 m for 20-30 minutes. They are found throughout Antarctica, up to the deep south.

Birds

Flying

Antarctic colt

Antarctic colt is a typical representative of the starfish. This is a small bird of 31-38 cm long, weighing 95-120 g, and with a wings of 66-77 cm. Its beak, as a rule, dark red or blacknose. The plumage is basically light gray or white, there is a black "cap" on the head. The tips of the wings of this crash of grayish black.

They feed on fish and krill, especially when are in Antarctica. Praists notice their prey from the air, and then dive behind her into the water.

Antarctic Sineglase Bablan

Antarctic Sineglase Blanklan is the only representative of the Baklanov family, which is found in Antarctica. They live along the South Antilsk Range and the Antarctic Peninsula, deepening south. These cormorants are characterized by bright color of the eyes and orange-yellow growth at the base of the beak, which becomes especially large and bright during the breeding season. The weight of the body is 1.8-3.5 kg, with the males a little harder females. The length of the body varies in the range from 68 to 76 cm, and the scope of the wings - about 1.1 m.

They feed on the main fish, often forming a "trap", of dozens or hundreds of birds that are repeatedly dive into the water and help each other fishing. These cormorants are capable of diving to 116 m. During swimming, they tightly press the wings to the body and use their refigble paws.

White Rzhanka

White Rzhanka - one of two types of kind Cionidae.. It prefers a terrestrial lifestyle. When walking, nods head like a pigeon. The body weight varies from 460 to 780 g, the body length is 34-41 cm, and the wingspan - 75-80 cm.

Pintado

Capelist belongs to the family of petrel. Its weight is up to 430 g, the length of the body is 39 cm, and the wingspan reaches 86 cm. The color of the feathers of this bird is black and white.

Capskoy doves feeds on an armor, fish, squid, palm and waste from ships, if any. Usually they catch prey on the surface of the water, but sometimes shallow dive.

Snowsturge

Snowy petrels - white birds with black beaks and eyes. They are the size of pigeons, and perhaps are the most beautiful of all Antarctic birds. The body length is 30-40 cm, the scope of wings - 75-95 cm, and the weight - 240-460.

They feed in the main curl and should always be near the sea to have access to nutrition. They are found along the coast of Antarctica, and, as you know, nest far into the depths of the continent (up to 325 km from the coast), in the mountains that are over the surrounding ice.

Wandering Albatross

Wandering Albatross - Bird with the longest wingspan (from 3.1 to 3.5 m). This bird can make long flights for 10-20 days, up to 10,000 km away, using hardly more energy than when sitting on the nest.

Middle weight ranges from 5.9 to 12.7 kg, males, approximately 20% heavier than females. The body length varies from 107 to 135 cm.

The basis of the diet is fish, squid and crustaceans. The bird hunts at night on the surface of the water or shallow dipping. Watching Albatrosse follow boats and vessels of any type where food is reset. This is especially true for fishing vessels, which emit out of fish waste.

Yuzhnopolar Pesor.

South-Polar Pesor - Bird of a rather large size. The average weight of males is 900-1600 g, and they are usually slightly less and easier than females. The average length: 50-55 cm, and the wingspan of 130-140 cm. They nest in Continental Antarctica and multiply far in the south. These birds were registered in the southern pole.

They feed in the main fish and ankle, although the eggs of penguins, chicks and Padals can also be included in the diet, depending on the habitat. Yuzhnopolar Pokornovs were noticed for theft of fish in other bird species.

Southern Giant Petrel

Southern Giant Petrel - a predatory bird from the family of petrel. Their weight is 5 kg, and the length of the body is 87 cm. The wingspan varies from 180 to 205 cm.

The diet consists of dead carcers and penguins, fell, squid, krill, crustaceans, and waste from ships or fishing boats.

Most often, these birds are found on the Antarctic and subnutrctic islands. They nest on the open soil, on the Falkland Islands.

Loose

Imperial Penguin

The imperial penguins are the largest penguins in the world, with an average weight of about 30 kg, (but can reach 40 kg), and the growth of 1.15 m. The males and females are similar color and body sizes. Back and head black, white belly, pale yellow chest, in the ears area there are bright yellow spots. Like all penguins, they are cool, with a streamlined body, and the wings flattened into the flippers for the marine habitat.

His diet consists mainly of fish, but may also include crustaceans and challenges. During hunting, these birds can stay under water up to 18 minutes and dive into a depth of 535 m. It has some adaptation for this, including unusually structured hemoglobin, solid bones and the ability to reduce metabolism.

The imperial penguin nests in a cold environment. The view was adapted by several ways to counteract the loss of heat: feathers provide 80-90% insulation, and it has a layer of subcutaneous fat, which reaches 3 cm with thickness; Pooch undercoat, in combination with the plumage, plays a decisive role in preserving the heat of the bird; The process of cleaning feathers is vital in ensuring isolation and in maintaining a fastener, and water-repellent.

Royal Penguin.

Royal Penguin is the second, in size, the type of penguins after the imperial. The growth is from 70 to 100 cm, and the weight of 9.3 to 18 kg. Males a little larger females. The plumage of the royal penguins is much brighter than their close relative of the imperial species, but the rest looks like.

Royal Penguins eat small fish and squid. They can be immersed with a depth of 100 m, but also have been seen at a depth of more than 300 m. Fish is 80-100% of their diet, with the exception of the winter months of the year.

Royal Penguins multiply on the Sanctarctic Islands, in the northern regions of Antarctica, as well as on the fiery land, the Falkland Islands and other islands with a temperate climate.

Subanartic Penguin

Sanctarctic Penguin, also known as Papuan Penguin. It is easily recognized on a wide white strip passing along the top of the head and its bright orange-red beak. This type has pale refigble paws, and a rather long tail is the most outstanding among all penguins.

Papuan Penguin reaches a growth from 51 to 90 cm, which makes them the third largest type of penguins, after two gigantic species: imperial and royal penguins. The males have a maximum weight of about 8.5 kg, immediately in front of the molt, and the minimum weight of about 4.9 kg, before mating. In females, weight ranges from 4.5 to 8.2 kg. This species is the fastest underwater, developing speed up to 36 km / h. They are well adapted to very harsh climatic conditions.

Subnutrctic penguins feed mainly crustaceans, and the fish is only about 15% of the diet.

Other animals

Antarctic Krill

Antarctic Krill is a representative of the Eufausiev detachment, common in the Antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean. This is a small crustacean, which lives in large groups, sometimes reaching the density of 10,000-300,000 individual individuals per cubic meter. Krill is powered by phytoplankton. It grows in length 6 cm, weighs up to 2 g, and can live about six years old. Krill is one of the key species in the ecosystem of Antarctica and, from the point of view of biomass, probably the most common view of animals on the planet (about 500 million tons, which corresponds to 300-400 trillions of individuals).

Belgica Antarctica.

Belgica Antarctica is the Latin name of the only type of non-flying insects endemic for Antarctica. Its length is 2-6 mm.

This insect has a black color, thanks to which it can absorb heat for survival. It can also adapt to changing salinity and pH, and survive without oxygen for 2-4 weeks. At temperatures below - 15 ° C, Belgica Antarctica dies.