Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins (IMAGE)

Louisiana State University

Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins

Caption

Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins evolved differences in diets over time that reduce competition for food and help them co-exist. However, recent climate-driven declines in Antarctic krill, the main prey of Chinstrap penguins, have led to declines in the population. In contrast, the flexible diets of Gentoo penguins likely are better suited to the rapidly changing environmental conditions in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Credit

Rachael Herman, LSU

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