Emperor Penguin

About Emperor Penguin

The tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species, emperor penguins breed during the Antarctic winter in temperatures as low as -60°C. They can dive deeper than any other bird — over 500m — and hold their breath for more than 20 minutes. Encountering them underwater while diving is extraordinarily rare and unforgettable.

Quick Facts

• Habitat: Antarctic fast ice and surrounding ocean. Breed on stable sea ice platforms.
• Diet: Fish (Antarctic silverfish), squid, and krill
• Best season: October–November for adults with chicks

Fun Facts

Males fast for up to 120 days during egg incubation,They can dive to over 500 metres — the deepest dive of any bird,Emperor penguin colonies can number over 10,000 breeding pairs,They are the only penguin species that breeds during the Antarctic winter

Diving Tips

Emperor penguins are extremely difficult to encounter while diving. They are primarily seen during specialist ice-breaker expeditions.