Adelie Penguin

Adelie Penguin Facts

The Adelie Penguin is one that often looks quite overweight. It is short but wide which tends to give it that appearance. They are very short with an overall height of no more than 30 inches. They weight approximately 15 pounds. Classified as the smallest of the Antarctic penguins though it is definitely able to hold its own out there.

They have some identifying marks that help to keep them properly identified. You will notice they have rings of white around their eyes and the end of their bill. They also have a tail that is longer than that of other species. They beak has a red color to it but the tip of it is black.

Adelie Penguin Habitat

The Adelie Penguins have been found to reside in all areas of the Antarctic as well as various islands including Ross Island.

It is believed that more than 5 million Adelie Penguins live in the Ross Sea area. They live in very large colonies too, with 38 distinct ones being identified by researchers. This is one of the most popular types of penguins that people are aware of.

Adelie Penguin Behavior

The Adelie Penguins are extremely social. They are very mellow in nature too so they tend to get along with each other most of the time. They have very powerful feet which help them to get around on the ice. They can also leap from the water to land without slipping or sliding. They have an unbelievable grip which allows them to survive in this cold part of the world.

Many believe that the Adelie Penguins are fun creatures by nature. This is because they are often seen sliding on their bellies and sledding down hills. However, this is very different from just regular play time. They use these types of moves to help them move along the ice without becoming tired out. They love to use such moves to get around on piles of ice and even icebergs out there on the frozen waters.

Adelie Penguin Diet

Krill is the main food of this penguin. Other items that they get from the water include silverfish, squid, crustaceans.

Scientists believed that Adelie Penguins consume much less food in the winter months than in other times of the year.

Adelie Penguin Reproduction

The Adelie Penguins move to the breed grounds in early January. They make nests out of stone and loose pieces of grass. It is during this period of time though that their very calm nature towards each other can become aggressive. It isn’t uncommon for them to steal entire nests or at least the materials used to make them from each other.

The pair will take turns incubating the egg until it hatches in early March. They will return with food for the young. Generally they will only feed the offspring that is the fastest if more than one hatches. They will keep the food at bay and make the offspring run after it. The fastest of them will be fed. The return back to their home with the young is one that is very long and grueling. Many of them young don’t make it through this trek back to their natural habitat.

Adelie Penguin Conservation

There have been significant threats to the Adelie Penguin over the past several decades. It is estimated that more than 65% of them have been lost over that span of time. Part of the problem is that they live on the sea ice and that natural environment is being depleted due to man and due to global warming. A lack of food has also resulted in lower numbers. Efforts are in place to protect their natural environment from human destruction.