Facts about Emperor penguin molting
- 07
The catastrophic molt of emperor penguins is distinguished from that of most birds by being a rapid simultaneous replacement of all feathers rather than a gradual sequential process.
- 06
Emperor penguin molting is synchronized across the colony, with thousands of birds shedding simultaneously between October and December in Antarctica.
- 05
Emperor penguins huddle together on ice during molt to conserve heat, since their new feathers lack the weatherproofing of fully mature plumage for approximately 21 days.
- 04
Emperor penguin molt requires a completely waterproof plumage layer, forcing them to remain ashore for three weeks while their new feathers fully mature and develop proper insulation.
- 03
Approximately 100 new feathers grow in daily during emperor penguin molting, with each replacement feather developing a blood supply before the old one sheds.
- 02
Emperor penguins fast for up to four months while molting and breeding, surviving solely on stored body fat without eating or drinking.
- 01
During their annual molt, emperor penguins replace all feathers in approximately three weeks, losing up to 25 percent of their body weight.