Emperor penguins breed on shelves of sea ice in the winter. By spring, the chicks have developed waterproof plumage and are ready to swim in the cold ocean waters. What effect might a warming climate have on the penguins? (1 point)

Question

Responses

The sea ice melts before the chicks are ready to swim.
The sea ice melts before the chicks are ready to swim.

The sea ice melts later in the season, and the penguins have to travel farther to find food.
The sea ice melts later in the season, and the penguins have to travel farther to find food.

The chicks grow faster because of the warming temperature.
The chicks grow faster because of the warming temperature.

The sea ice freezes earlier in the winter, shifting the breeding schedule.

Answer 1

The most likely effect of a warming climate on emperor penguins is:

The sea ice melts before the chicks are ready to swim.

As temperatures rise, the timing of ice formation and melting can be disrupted, which could leave the chicks vulnerable if they are not yet able to swim and access food resources.