Nov. 21, 2012 For the first time, researchers tracking the
behavior of emperor penguins near the sea have identified the
importance of sea ice for the penguins' feeding habits. The
research, published November 21 in the open access journal PLOS
ONE by Shinichi Watanabe from Fukuyama University, Japan and
colleagues, Japan describes emperor penguin foraging behavior
through the birds' chick-rearing season. Unlike other species
like Adelie penguins, emperor penguins spent much more time
diving for food, and only used about 30% of their time at sea to
take short breaks to rest on sea ice. The birds did not travel
for long distances on the ice, or use it for other activities.
The study also suggests that these short rest periods on sea ice
may help the penguins avoid predators such as leopard seals.
Though sea ice conditions are known to affect penguin
populations, the relationship between ice levels and penguins'
foraging has been unclear because of the difficulties of
tracking the birds at sea. Watanabe says, "