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

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

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

Answer 1

The most relevant effect of a warming climate on emperor penguins, based on your description, would be:

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

This scenario is particularly concerning because if the sea ice melts too early, the chicks may become vulnerable and unable to find food or protect themselves from predators.