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)
Responses
The chicks grow faster because of the warming temperature.
The chicks grow faster because of the warming temperature.
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 freezes earlier in the winter, shifting the breeding schedule.
The sea ice freezes earlier in the winter, shifting the breeding schedule.
The sea ice melts later in the season, and the penguins have to travel farther to find food.
1 answer
The effect a warming climate might have on the emperor penguins is:
The sea ice melts before the chicks are ready to swim.
This response highlights a significant concern for emperor penguins, as the timing of sea ice formation and melting is critical for their breeding and the survival of their chicks. If the ice melts too soon, the chicks may not be prepared to swim and find food, impacting their survival rates.
