The Winter Breeding Journey of Emperor Penguins
In The Winter Breeding Journey of Emperor Penguins, narrator Sir David Attenborough journeys along with the emperor penguins of Antarctica as they take the long path to their breeding grounds — the same place they were once hatched. Once they arrive, male and female penguins find mates. After the female has produced an egg several weeks later, she must carefully transfer it to the male to keep it warm in his special pouch while she returns to the ocean on her own. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: What does the growing ice mean for the size of Antarctica in winter?
A: In a matter of weeks, the continent doubles in size.
Q: What do the penguins do once they arrive at their breeding grounds?
A: The penguins find a mate and the female produces an egg before going back to the ocean.
Q: What challenges do the penguins face while transferring the egg from mother to father?
A: The transfer is risky because if the egg is exposed to the freezing air for too long, it could freeze.
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