The Plunge

Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) spend about 70% of their lives in the water, where they hunt for fish, squid, and krill.

They are highly adapted for an aquatic lifestyle, capable of diving over 500 meters (1,640 feet) and holding their breath for up to 27 minutes.

While they return to land or ice for breeding, molting, and resting, their survival depends on their ability to forage efficiently in the ocean, making them one of the most aquatic of all bird species.