Chinstrap penguin
The chinstrap penguin is a distinctive species native to Antarctica and the South Atlantic islands, notable for the thin black stripe resembling a chinstrap that runs under its chin. These medium-sized penguins stand about 2.5 feet tall and weigh between 8 to 10 pounds. They are primarily black on their backs and white on their fronts, contributing to their striking appearance. Chinstrap penguins are known for their aggressive behavior, particularly when defending their breeding grounds, which can include confrontations with intruders like dogs and humans.
Social creatures, chinstrap penguins gather in large colonies that can swell to millions during breeding season, typically from November to February. They are dedicated parents, sharing incubation duties after the female lays two eggs. The chicks remain in a pebble nest for several weeks before joining groups of other young penguins. Interestingly, a recent study highlighted their unique sleeping patterns, revealing that they take short naps multiple times an hour while protecting their eggs. Fortunately, the chinstrap penguin population is currently considered stable and is not listed as endangered. These characteristics make the chinstrap penguin an intriguing subject for further exploration in the study of wildlife and ecosystem dynamics in polar regions.
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Chinstrap penguin
The chinstrap penguin is a species native to Antarctica and islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. They are named for the thin black stripe which runs from the top of its head behind one eye, underneath its chin, and up the other side of its face. The chinstrap penguin has a reputation for being aggressive and attacking any intruders, even dogs and people, that venture into its breeding grounds.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Sphenisciformes
Family: Spheniscidae
Genus: Pygoscelis
Species: antarcticus
Standing about two and a half feet (75 centimeters) tall, the chinstrap penguins' streamlined bodies weigh between eight and ten pounds (three to five kilograms). Its front side, face, and the undersides of its short, narrow, flipper-like wings are white. The penguin is black from the tip of its tail, up its back, to the top of its head. It appears to be wearing a small, black helmet on its head, which its black chinstrap holds firmly in place.
When on snow, the chinstrap may slide on its belly and push itself with its feet. On bare ground, it waddles on its large, pink, clawed, webbed feet. In the water, their feet become rudders for steering as its wings propel the penguin forward through the water. Underwater, the penguin beats its wings and then glides, swimming quickly and skillfully, diving to depths of 165 feet (50 meters). It may dive for 90 seconds each time and rest for 35 seconds between dives. The search for food may take the penguin up to 55 miles (88 kilometers) from the colony where its young wait to feed. Like its other penguin relatives, the chinstrap feeds mainly on krill, which are small creatures like shrimp. Only ten percent of its diet is food other crustaceans and small fish. When it leaves the water, the penguin is able to jump three feet (one meter) out of the water and land on the ice.
The chinstrap penguin are social birds that gather in large colonies. These colonies may contain up to 3,000 birds. Colony size may swell to five million pairs during breeding season on the South Sandwich, South Orkney, and South Georgia Islands, as well as on the Antarctic Peninsula.
In October, shortly before the November-to-February breeding season begins, the penguins return to their nesting and breeding grounds. This is near the end of winter in Antarctica. The chinstrap returns to the same site year after year and if possible finds the same mate from the previous year. The male and female nest on ground near the coast, which is free of ice. Most often this is on a rocky slope, cliff ledge, or among boulders where little vegetation grows.
A colony of chinstrap penguins may include Adlie or gentoo penguins, but these do not get along well with the aggressive and territorial chinstrap penguins. Two weeks after mating, the female lays two eggs and incubates them for six days. After this, the male takes his turn while the female feeds, and the two continue to share the duty until the eggs hatch. Total incubation time is five weeks. The chicks stay in the small nest of pebbles for three to four weeks before joining a nursery group of other recently hatched penguins. During this time, the parents feed in the sea. Ten weeks after hatching, the young chinstrap penguins have their adult, waterproof plumage and may enter the water.
A 2023 study indicated chinstap penguins take a lot of naps when they are breeding and protecting their eggs. These naps are very short and can last for just a few seconds. The total number of naps the penguins take, called microsleeps, are enormous. This may happen up to 600 times an hour or 10,000 times a day. This allows chinstrap penguins to sleep 11 hours a day. Chinstrap penguins will get their needed rest, but also be close to their eggs while they protect them.
The chinstrap penguin population is believed to be healthy. They are not on any protected or endangered lists.
Related members of the genus Pygoscelis:
- Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)
- Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua)
Bibliography
“Chinstap Penguin.” A-Z Animals, 19 June 2023, a-z-animals.com/animals/chinstrap-penguin. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
Orie, Amarachi. “Chinstrap Penguins Survive on More than 10,000 Naps a Day, Study Finds.” CNN, 1 Dec. 2023, www.cnn.com/2023/12/01/world/chinstrap-penguins-microsleep-study-intl-scli-scn/index.html. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
“Pygoscelis antarcticus Chinstrap Penguin.” Animal Diversity Web, 2001, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pygoscelis‗antarcticus. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.