FOOD PREFERENCES
Penguins are carnivores. They use the ocean to access live food. What penguins consume depends on where they live and what is readily available. Primary sources of food include: krill, squid, and crustaceans. Species found farther in the north eat more fish.
FOOD INTAKE
Food intake varies with the quantity and variety of food available from different areas at different times of the year. One of the reasons that penguins are believed to migrate has to do with their food sources. Their food supply can change day to day. Penguins are known to walk great distances in search of new feeding locations.
METHODS OF COLLECTING
Penguins feed at sea. Most hunting occurs 50 to 60 feet from the surface; however, they will dive deeper if need be. The depth also depends on the type of penguin. Some need to come up to the surface every couple of minutes for air while others can remain under water for up to 20 minutes. Most penguins hunt during the day. This is because penguins rely mainly on their vision for hunting. It is not known how penguins locate prey in the darkness yet hunting still takes place at this time. Penguins will catch prey with their bills and swallow while still swimming. Most of their food is slimy which makes it no problem to swallow their food whole.
Penguins are carnivores. They use the ocean to access live food. What penguins consume depends on where they live and what is readily available. Primary sources of food include: krill, squid, and crustaceans. Species found farther in the north eat more fish.
FOOD INTAKE
Food intake varies with the quantity and variety of food available from different areas at different times of the year. One of the reasons that penguins are believed to migrate has to do with their food sources. Their food supply can change day to day. Penguins are known to walk great distances in search of new feeding locations.
METHODS OF COLLECTING
Penguins feed at sea. Most hunting occurs 50 to 60 feet from the surface; however, they will dive deeper if need be. The depth also depends on the type of penguin. Some need to come up to the surface every couple of minutes for air while others can remain under water for up to 20 minutes. Most penguins hunt during the day. This is because penguins rely mainly on their vision for hunting. It is not known how penguins locate prey in the darkness yet hunting still takes place at this time. Penguins will catch prey with their bills and swallow while still swimming. Most of their food is slimy which makes it no problem to swallow their food whole.
THREATS TO FOOD SUPPLY
-Leopard seals, sea lions, sharks and killer whales are all predators. This is especially closer for whales during migration season as they are much closer to the shoreline.
-Climate changes are threatening the penguin population. The warmer temperatures is shrinking the sea ice in Antarctica. The loss of sea ice can take a tole on the food supply and make it more difficult for mothers to provide food for their hungry chicks.
-Leopard seals, sea lions, sharks and killer whales are all predators. This is especially closer for whales during migration season as they are much closer to the shoreline.
-Climate changes are threatening the penguin population. The warmer temperatures is shrinking the sea ice in Antarctica. The loss of sea ice can take a tole on the food supply and make it more difficult for mothers to provide food for their hungry chicks.
REFERENCES
1. “Diet and Eating Habits.” SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. Web. 21 April. 2014. <http://seaworld.org/animalinfo/animal-info/animal-infobooks/penguin/diet-and-eating-habits/>
2. “Emperor Penguins Feeding-McMurdo Sound.” Youtube. Published 8 Jan. 2009. Accessed 21 April. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh34VI23ATo>
3. “Penguin Feeding.” Penguins-World. Web 21 April. 2014. <http://www.penguins-world.com/penguin-feeding/>
4. Wolf, Shaye. “Climate Change Threatens Penguins.” Actionbiosicence.org. Web. 21 April 2014. <http://www.actionbioscience.org/environment/wolf.html>
1. “Diet and Eating Habits.” SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. Web. 21 April. 2014. <http://seaworld.org/animalinfo/animal-info/animal-infobooks/penguin/diet-and-eating-habits/>
2. “Emperor Penguins Feeding-McMurdo Sound.” Youtube. Published 8 Jan. 2009. Accessed 21 April. 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh34VI23ATo>
3. “Penguin Feeding.” Penguins-World. Web 21 April. 2014. <http://www.penguins-world.com/penguin-feeding/>
4. Wolf, Shaye. “Climate Change Threatens Penguins.” Actionbiosicence.org. Web. 21 April 2014. <http://www.actionbioscience.org/environment/wolf.html>