The Emperor Lays an Egg facts for kids
The Emperor Lays an Egg is a non-fiction children's picture book. It was written by Brenda Z. Guiberson and has beautiful pictures by Joan Paley. This book teaches young readers about the amazing lives of emperor penguins, especially how they care for their eggs and chicks in the icy lands of Antarctica.
Contents
About "The Emperor Lays an Egg"
What the Book is About
This book tells the story of an emperor penguin family. It focuses on the father penguin's big job. He has to protect the egg for about two months. During this time, the mother penguin is far away, searching for food in the ocean. The book combines a sweet story with real facts about how these incredible birds are born and raised. It shows how both parents work together to make sure their chick survives.
Emperor Penguin Life Cycle
Emperor penguins live in Antarctica, the coldest place on Earth. Their life cycle is very unique, especially when it comes to having babies.
The Father's Important Role
After the mother lays a single egg, she must leave to find food. This is because she has used up most of her energy. The father penguin then takes over. He carefully balances the egg on his feet. A special flap of skin, called a brood patch, keeps the egg warm. He does not eat for about 65 days, or two months, while he incubates the egg. He stands in freezing temperatures, often during harsh winter storms.
The Mother's Journey
While the father is incubating the egg, the mother travels a long way. She walks across the ice to the open ocean. There, she dives for fish, squid, and krill to regain her strength. She needs to eat a lot to produce milk, which is a special fatty substance for the chick.
Raising the Chick
When the chick hatches, the mother returns. She brings food for the new baby. The father, who has not eaten in months, can finally go to the sea to feed. Both parents then take turns caring for the chick. They keep it warm and feed it until it is old enough to join a creche. A creche is like a penguin daycare, where many chicks huddle together for warmth and safety.
