How do penguins defend themselves

Sea Lions, members of the Otariidae family, also feed on penguins if the occasion allows it. The Weddell seal Leptonychotes weddellii can hunt Adelie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae from time to time, but penguins are usually safe from this species because they prefer fish, which are much easier to catch. Certainly, we can not forget other great predators of the oceans: sharks and killer whales. The former are well-known and aggressive carnivores, but they are not fanatics to feed on birds and less on penguins.

Even so, sometimes these become their meal of the day. Killer whales, on the other hand, are super predators and have a varied diet that sometimes includes penguins. They are not big, but tough and capable of attacking live chicks that still are in their nests or the creches. They also steal eggs, from which they can feed.

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Smooth, waterproof feathers cover fluffy, insulating feathers. A thick layer of blubber provides the emperor penguin with additional protection from the cold. Born in Norfolk, United Kingdom, Hayley Ames' writing experience includes blog articles for a travel website.

Related Articles Life Cycle of Penguins. Facts About Baby Wolves. The Penguins of the Tundra Biome. How Do Killer Whales Sleep? Facts About Buzzards. Life Cycle of a Centipede. Porpoising is a technique that penguins can use to jump out of the water at high speed; When close to land, this technique can allow the penguin to escape from a marine predator and return to the safety of the colony.

Additionally, although some penguins can achieve speeds of up to 22 miles per hour, marine predators like orcas are faster. To compensate, penguins use sharp, zigzagging turns to outmaneuver these larger and less agile animals.

A current MA candidate in military studies at American Military University, he has written hundreds of articles on a wide range of general science, aviation and history topics. Marker is currently working on several science fiction projects. The Penguins of the Tundra Biome. How Do Sharks Protect Themselves? How Do Penguins Hunt for Food?