Ukrainian Station in Antarctica Observes Penguins 0 18

Ukrainian polar explorers have shown real footage of the underwater life of sub-Antarctic penguins, which can reach speeds of nearly 40 km/h. The corresponding footage was released by the National Antarctic Scientific Center.

"Friendly warning: if you have a very sensitive vestibular system, it’s better to take a seat. The recording is very dynamic and may be a bit 'rocky'," the scientists joke.

They explain that no speed enhancements were made to the recording - the video captures the actual speed of sub-Antarctic penguins underwater. These are the fastest penguins - they can accelerate to 36 km/h.

An interesting fact about the sensors. A GPS tracker and camera are attached to the bird's back, which has a large surface area, constant curvature, and hardly moves, so the equipment can be securely fixed with special tape and glue. The scientists remove the camera after a day, and the tracker after about three weeks. As the scientists explain, there is a separate procedure for this that does not harm the feathers and is completely safe for the animals.

The video clearly shows how the penguins hunt for krill, which gathers in dense clusters. At some moments, it literally "rolls up" into a band, and the penguins dive into this school. Additionally, the center clarifies that the video shows how penguins release air from under their feathers for better "gliding" in the water. Furthermore, it is visible how they move underwater, like birds in flight, flapping their wings rather than "swimming" in the conventional sense. You can see them preening their feathers, rolling from side to side.

"Feather care is critically important for penguins, as it affects insulation and swimming speed," the researchers note.

On Galindez Island, near the Ukrainian polar station "Akademik Vernadsky," 1200 penguins have been born.

In some penguin families, chicks are actively growing, and there are pairs where the chicks have just been born.

Currently, there are chicks in 730 nests on Galindez. It was mentioned that some penguins are still incubating eggs, while others are still carrying them.