Chinstrap+Penguins

=**Chinstrap Penguins By Richard Westrop, Karam Jivani, and Komal Chranya**=



= = CHARACTERISTICS: They got their name from the curved line under their chin. The Chinstrap penguins are the most numerous penguins in the world. They are called Chinstrap penguins because of their characteristic band of dark feathers under the chin that appears to be keeping their dark hat on. These are the smallest of three species of Pygoscelis penguins. They stand about 28 inches tall and weigh about 9 to 14 lbs.

HABITAT: Chinstrap penguins live in large colonies all around Antarctica, but mainly on the South Sandwich Island. One colony is believed to contain 10,000,000 individuals. The weight of the adults vary during the year. They leave their colonies and move north of the pack ice for the winter months.

FOOD: Chinstrap penguins mainly feed upon krill and small shoaling fish.They feed by diving for prey close to their colonies. Each dive being less than one minute long and no more than 61m. in depth. They feed by diving for prey close to their colonies.

PREDATORS: The main predators of Chinstrap penguins are: killer whales, leopard seals ,sharks, whale sharks, and seal lions. Penguins are a source of food for marine mammals, especially leopard seals. Eggs and chicks can fall prey to birds,such as sheath bills and the brown skua.

BABIES: Chinstrap penguins make a round nest out of stones and pebbles. They lay two eggs which are incubated by both parents. They alternate every 5-10 days. As soon as the egg is laid, the mother dashes out for dinner, leaving the male to watch the nest.

INTERESTING FACTS: Chinstrap penguins are also called, Ringed penguins and Bearded penguins. Chinstrap penguins are the boldest penguins.They are the most aggressive penguins and are most likely to fight other penguins.

FUTURE FOR THESE ANIMALS:Global warming is threatening the survival of four penguin species in the Antarctic,conservationists today,the four penguin species are Chinstrap, Emperor, Adelie, and Gentoo penguins.

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