The Emperor Penguin
The Emperor, the largest and most recognizable of the penguin species, is thought to be the most vulnerable of all life in Antarctica. According to the World Wildlife Federation, the overall rise in temperatures is melting sea ice and dramatically reducing the scope of the penguins habitat.



Frosty Chicks
The male Emperor Penguin famously guards the egg on its feet in blizzards and temperatures as low as -49c until it hatches. A 2009 report of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences argues that the early break-up of the winter sea ice that supports the colony may contribute to low breeding success.



Sharing the Warmth
The Emperors huddle together to protect themselves from the extreme cold of Antarctica. Scientists warn that global warming could put the magnificent birds at the risk of extinction by the end of the next century.



Adélie Penguin
In the last 25 years, the Adélie population has dropped 65% due to a loss of sea ice and increased competition for food among other penguin species.



River in the Ice
Because they have less foraging capability than Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, the Adélie are shrinking at a greater rate than the other penguin species.



Colony
Adélie Penguins require dry land for breeding grounds and stone pebbles for creating nests, but their greater survival depends on the presence of sea ice.



King Penguin
There are currently 2 million pairs of breeding King Penguins on the islands north of Antarctica. Research suggests that the population is declining as sea temperatures warm and the birds are forced to travel longer distances to find food.



Out for a Swim
Much like the larger Emperors, King Penguins rely on Krill and small crustaceans for food, but an increase in surface ocean temperatures is reducing the supply in the winter months.



Gaggle
A King Penguin stands among a large number of chicks in the Southern Ocean. The time that the penguins devote to searching for food, research suggests, takes away from the time they spend feeding their chicks.



Chinstrap Penguin
The warming temperatures have been temporarily beneficial for Chinstrap penguins, which breed and nest on land with no ice or snow.



Chilly Willy
The warmer temperatures have forced the Chinstraps further south, which is putting them in competition with Emperors and Adélies for food.



Penguins, As Far as the Eye Can See
Male and female Chinstraps guard their eggs, which come in pairs, in shifts; one protects the nest while the other fishes for up to eight days. The colony at Zavodovski Island in the Antarctic is the worlds largest Chinstrap breeding ground.



Gentoo Penguin
Much like the Chinstrap, the Gentoo birds guard their eggs in shifts and prefer slightly warmer temperatures. In the last few decades, their numbers have been on the decline.



A Following
The decrease in population is likely due to reduced food availability as a result of overfishing and climate change.



Floating Beach
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the Gentoo as near extinction, which means that it is not critically endangered but at risk of being reclassified.



Frozen?
With their food source under threat and their habitat evaporating, Emperor, Adelie, King, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins all share Antarcticas uncertain future.


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