ScienceDaily described a study on how Antarctic emperor penguins are more successful at adapting to climate change than previously thought. Satellite observations revealed that four penguin colonies moved from their traditional breeding grounds during years when the thin layer of ice (sea ice) formed later than usual to the much thicker floating ice shelves that surround the continent. The penguins breed on the sea ice because it gives them relatively easy access to the food in nearby waters. In years when the sea ice didn’t form the penguins moved to the higher floating ice shelves to breed.
What was surprising is that the shelves are up to 30 metres high. Although the penguins are known as excellent swimmers they are often clumsy on land. Apparently they have no problem scaling the ice shelves.
Read more at ScienceDaily: Antarctic emperor penguins may be adapting to warmer temperatures.
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