Cuverville Island, Antarctica is a dark, rugged island located at the northern end of the Errera Channel just off the coast of Graham Land. The island is roughly 2.5 miles in diameter and features a steep-sided dome covered by a permanent ice cap. Cuverville is home to about 5,000 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins and brown skuas.
While most of the gentoos prefer to nest relatively close to the cobble beach, some trek up and down the steep slopes to nest on higher ledges. You'll see how the higher nests appear to be constantly under attack from skuas that were trying to steal eggs. While a skua's diet consists mainly of fish, krill and other marine food, when nesting they will feed on smaller seabirds, penguin eggs and chicks.These birds are highly territorial and will defend an area of penguin nests from other skuas.
You'll gain new respect for gentoo penguins after watching them battle skuas, trek through snow and travel long distances over different types of rocky surfaces.
Tennessee Aquarium members recently explored Antarctica with a seasoned Abercrombie & Kent expedition team and Dr. James McClintock, Endowed University Professor of Polar and Marine Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. One of the many stops was at Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Station where Dr. McClintock studies marine species.
Learn more about the Tennessee Aquarium, and the gentoo and macaroni penguins that live in downtown Chattanooga, at www.tnaqua.org/...
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