Why emperors breed during the harshest season of the year is unknown, but some scientists speculate that when the chicks become independent five months later (in January and February, the antarctic summer), environmental conditions are more favorable for the young birds. For most of the winter, antarctic penguins live in an environment of darkness or half-light.During the emperor breeding season, air temperature may drop to -60☌ (-76☏) and winds may reach speeds up to 200 kph (124 mph.).Emperor penguins breed annually during the antarctic winter, June through August.A female king penguin may produce a chick during alternate breeding seasons. The king penguin has the longest breeding cycle of all the penguin species, lasting 14 to 16 months. Most species have an annual breeding season - spring through summer.Mating Activityīreeding seasons differ from species to species. On average, breeding does not begin until the fifth year, and a few males do not breed until the eighth year. With some of the smaller species, breeding may begin at three to four years, but most larger species are not accomplished breeders until much later. They may take three to eight years to reach sexual maturity. Like most seabirds, penguins tend to be long-lived.
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