M+antipodes

Animal Classification: Genus and species name: Megadyptes antipodes Class: Aves Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae

Endangered Species Act: - The Megadyptes anitpodes became assessed as endangered in 2008. The justification for why they were classified as endangered is because they are confined to a small place for breeding.

Description of Habitat: - Megadyptes antipodes are in the Pacific ocean. -The latitude of the Megadyptes anitpodes range is 45 degrees North. -Temperature ranges from 5 degress to 28.5 degrees C -Salinity ranges from 170 W to 20 S

Geological Processes- Location of Ecosystem -Earthquakes: Yes; Most of the earthquake activity is from the Pacific Ocean. -Volcanoes: Yes; the pacific ocean contains more than 80 percent of the earth's active volcanoes -Live on land -Benthic -Eat red cod, opal fish, sprat and squid -Marine system

Migration Patterns -Travels and breeds from the coastline of New Zeland to the south of New Zeland -It's cold and the ice is still standing. -The south of New Zeland allows the Penguins to breed without having to worry about the dangers of preditors (as much as they would on the coastline)

Population Estimates of Species -2000 pairs

Survival Trends of Species -Decreasing

Appearance of Species Size: 24 inches tall Color: Black and White with yellow feahers around its eyes Weight: 13 pounds Diet: fish and squid

Reproduction Sexually Incubation Period: 45 Days Two Offsprings Parents stay with their young from Mid- Feburary to Mid- March

Animal Anatomy and Physiology -The penguins have no diaphragm and have a constant stream of air flow. -Penguin's heart pumps blood through the whole body -No teeth, their food goes directly to their stomachs -The tail aids them to balance them up -Their fins turn into flippers as soon as they hit the water -Extra large sternum so that they can swim and fly through water (extra large pectoral muscles) -Kidney's regulate blood wolume, composition, pressure, and hormonal values -All digested food goes into the intestines -Regeratated food stays in stomach to feed young -Strong knee caps allow them to move back and forth quickly on land

Food Chain/Web -Penguins eat krill, squid, lobstar krill which all eat Plankton

Economic Importance of Species -Tourism -Science

Threats and Reason for Endangerment -Predators -Avian Malaria -Biotoxins -Food Shortages (due to sea temp.) -Human disturbance

Conservation Efforts -Limit tourist visitation -Volunteer Work -No catching penguins

Solutions -Same as what they are doing now

Three Questions 1. What do penguins eat? 2. Name one of the threats that has Penguins becoming endangered. 3. How long is the incubation period of a penguin?

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