British Antarctic Survey 🐧 @bas.ac.uk · Feb 25 This satellite footage shows the days in early 2023 when the ice literally disappeared from beneath the feet of thousands of emperor penguins. And here's the issue: they were likely moulting at the time. Welcome to Marie Bryd Land, Antarctica... 🧵 1/5
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Emperor penguins replace their feathers all in one go. It takes up to 40 days, burns half their body weight in energy, and leaves them completely unable to enter the water until new feathers come through. If the ice breaks up before they're done, they will likely freeze and die. 🧵 2/5