Penguins

There are only two endemic species of penguin in Antarctica, the Emperor and the Adelie. Neither species breed close to SANAE's sphere of operations.

The emperor penguin is the only vertebrate except man that spends a winter on the Antarctic continent. The chicks hatch in winter, and one of the parents fast for months, while the other goes feeding at the edge of the pack ice.

In sharp contrast to the stately Emperor penguins are the clownish Adelies. The are about half the size, and twice as curious.

photos: AD Cromarty