The king penguin is the second largest species of penguin in the world, with adult king penguins growing
to nearly a metre in height. There are two recognised sub-species of
the king penguin found throughout the sub-Antarctic, with more than 2
million breeding pairs thought to be dotted across the rocky islands (a
number which appears to be increasing). The king penguin is found
inhabiting the rocky islands in parts of the Antarctic Ocean, with the
geographical location being one of the main differences between the two
king penguin sub-species. King Penguins breed on the sub-Antarctic
islands, at the northern reaches of Antarctica, as well as around the
Falkland Islands, and other temperate islands of the region.
The king penguin is one of the most elegant of
all penguin species as it's long and slender body helps the king
penguin to glide through the water with great ease. The bright-yellow
markings on the head and neck of the king penguin are characteristic of
this penguin species. King penguins have adapted well to the extreme living conditions of
the Antarctic and, to keep warm, the king penguin has four layers of
feathering. King Penguins have 70 feathers per every square inch. The
outer layer of feathers are oiled and waterproof, and the inner three
layers are down feathers, which act as very effective insulation as the
bitter cold.
The king penguin is a carnivorous animal, that like all other penguin species, survives on a diet
that is only comprised of marine animals. Krill and small crustaceans
make up the bulk of the king penguin's diet along with larger organisms
including squid and various species of fish. Due to the fact that they
inhabit quite uncompromising regions, king penguins have no natural
land-based predators. However, larger marine animals that also inhabit
the freezing waters of the Antarctic Ocean will prey on these
water-based birds, with leopard seals, sharks, humans and killer whales
being the main predators of the king penguin.
On average, the king penguin breeds once a year, forming pairs that usually remain faithful to one another. The female king penguin lays two eggs which are incubated by both parents for about two months, when only one of the eggs will usually hatch. The king penguin chicks
are fed and kept warm by their parents and remain with them until the
chicks are about a year old. Today, the king penguin populations in the
sub-Antarctic Oceans appear to be thriving and better still increasing
in numbers with more than two million breeding pairs of king penguins found around the freezing waters. Source
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