On the occasion of the World Penguin Day, Ukrainian researchers showed which species live in the area of the Akademik Vernadsky scientific station in Antarctica. This was reported by UNN with reference to the National Antarctic Science Center.
Details
Scientists explain that there are currently 18 species of penguins on the planet, of which 5 are in the Antarctic, and 3 nest in the vicinity of the Ukrainian station.
All species living in the vicinity of the Ukrainian station belong to the same genus Pygoscelis:
- Pygoscelis papua is a sub-Antarctic penguin;
- Pygoscelis antarcticus is an Antarctic penguin;
- Pygoscelis adeliae - Adelie penguin.
All of them begin the mating season in the Antarctic spring and build nests of stones. They usually lay 2 eggs, very rarely 1 or 3. The chicks hatch in a little more than a month.
In these species , both partners take responsibility for parenting: they take turns incubating the eggs and then protecting and feeding the chicks. They also share the same enemies, including sea leopards and skuas
Instead, it is the appearance that distinguishes the birds the most. Subantarctic birds are the largest and brightest. They are up to 81 cm tall, have a red beak, white spots above the eyes, and look like they are wearing a tailcoat.
Whereas, Antarctic penguins are somewhat smaller - up to 77 cm tall. However, they have their own distinctive feature - a thin black stripe crossing the white chin.
And the smallest among the trio are Adelie penguins. They grow up to 75 cm in height. They have a completely black head and white-blue eyes.
Addendum
The scientists emphasized that in the area of the Akademik Vernadsky station, it is rare to find the neighborhood of these three species.
As explained by scientists , sub-Antarctic penguins are thermophilic, while other species prefer cold conditions
Recall
This season (from September to April) , Ukrainian polar explorers counted more than 7,000 sub-Antarctic penguins on Galindez Island, where the Akademik Vernadsky station is located.