# Emperor Penguins (DD-115) > Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) breed during the Antarctic winter, when temperatures can fall below -40 掳C, which is also -40 掳F. The female lays a single egg and passes it to the male, then heads to sea to feed. The male balances the egg on his feet under a fold of skin, the brood pouch, for about two months, huddling with other males against winds of up to 200 km/h. It's the only penguin species where the male alone incubates. By the time the egg hatches he will have fasted for around 120 days since arriving at the colony. The female returns to take over the chick. The footage shows emperor penguins, eggs and chicks on the ice. - Department: Nature - First published: 2023-12-11 - Last updated: 2023-12-11 - Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/emperor-penguins/ - Original Reel title: Emperor Penguins 馃惂 - Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department ## Quick facts - **DD-115-F01**: They breed through the Antarctic winter. _(Write-up 路 Exhibit A (Winter breeders))_ - **DD-115-F02**: The female passes the single egg to the male. _(Write-up 路 Exhibit B (Egg handoff))_ ## Write-up Emperor penguin fathers fast for about four months. Males incubate the egg on their feet through the Antarctic winter. 1. **Winter breeders**: They breed through the Antarctic winter. 2. **Egg handoff**: The female passes the single egg to the male. 3. **Brood pouch**: The male keeps the egg on his feet under a skin fold. 4. **Huddles**: Males huddle against winds of up to 200 km/h. 5. **120-day fast**: Males fast for around 120 days. ## Related case files - [Iceberg Blue (DD-299)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/iceberg-blue/): I linked more from the polar ice - [The Plunge (DD-497)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-plunge/): I linked more penguins ## Reel vs. record - **Note**: None needed. I added that the male's total fast is about 120 days, longer than the two-month incubation. ## Video: Emperor Penguins: Emperor Penguin Fathers Fast for About Four Months - Duration: 45.5 s 路 Published: 2023-12-11 - File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C0uFCWwu6xc.mp4 ### Transcript Emperor penguins have a unique and challenging parenting strategy. DID YOU KNOW? In the harsh conditions of Antarctica, where temperatures can drop as low as -40 degrees Celsius or -40 degrees Fahrenheit, emperor penguins engage in a remarkable breeding cycle. After laying a single egg, the female transfers it to the male for incubation. The male emperor penguin then cradles the egg on its feet and covers it with a flap of abdominal skin to keep it warm. During this incubation period, which lasts for about two months, the male goes without eating, relying on stored energy reserves. Meanwhile, the female embarks on a long journey to the sea to feed and replenish her energy. When she returns, the male, often weakened and hungry, transfers the hatched chick back to the female. This intricate and challenging parenting strategy allows emperor penguins to adapt to the extreme conditions of their environment. NOW YOU KNOW! ## Questions & answers **Q: When do emperor penguins breed?** A: In extreme cold. _(Source: Write-up 路 Exhibit A (Winter breeders) 路 Wikipedia: Emperor penguin)_ **Q: Who incubates the egg?** A: Only emperors do this. _(Source: Write-up 路 Exhibit B (Egg handoff) 路 Wikipedia: Emperor penguin)_ **Q: Where does the male keep the egg?** A: Under a brood pouch. _(Source: Write-up 路 Exhibit C (Brood pouch) 路 Wikipedia: Emperor penguin)_ **Q: How fast can the winds get?** A: So males huddle. _(Source: Write-up 路 Exhibit D (Huddles) 路 Wikipedia: Emperor penguin)_ **Q: How long do males fast?** A: Since arriving at the colony. _(Source: Write-up 路 Exhibit E (120-day fast) 路 Wikipedia: Emperor penguin)_ ## Sources - [Wikipedia: Emperor penguin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_penguin) ## Cite this case file Easterling, Marcus. "Emperor Penguins." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-115, last updated Dec 11, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/emperor-penguins/