Inside a Penguin Huddle
In Inside a Penguin Huddle, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how male emperor penguins huddle together to keep warm, and to keep their eggs warm. But when a winter blizzard becomes too much for a group of the penguins, the males must move from one side of the huddle to the other without dropping their precious eggs. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Dynasties, a documentary that follows endangered species fighting for their survival.
Five extraordinary animals, each in a heroic struggle against rivals and against the forces of nature, fighting for their own survival and for the future of their dynasties. Learn more.
Lesson Express
Q: Why is the penguin’s huddle always on the move? What is the benefit of this?
A: The male penguins are constantly trying to get to the best spots in the huddle. This keeps the penguins moving and makes sure that they are sharing the good spots.
Q: What did you notice about how the penguins were communicating?
A: Student responses will vary. Students may mention that the penguins appeared to be talking to each other using various calls.
Q: What challenges did the penguins face in the storm?
A: The penguins faced the challenges of keeping themselves warm, keeping their eggs warm, and not dropping their eggs.
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