Emperor penguins are the largest species of penguins in the world. They are one of two species that live in the cold climate of Antarctica. An adult Emperor penguin has an average height of about 1.1 meters or 3 feet 9 inches and an average weight of 30 kilograms or 75 pounds or more. The penguin is characterized by its distinctive black and white plumage that makes it look like its wearing a tuxedo. Two golden teardrop-shaped stripes are found on the sides of its neck. Young emperor penguins have a distinct grey and black downy plumage.

The emperor penguin is extremely adapted to the aquatic life. It has a spindle-shaped hydrodynamic body that helps the penguin swim and dive to find food. Emperor penguins feed mostly on fish, squid, and small crustaceans called krill. The speed of emperor penguins while swimming contrasts to the wobbly and waddling gait it has on the ground. Sometimes they even toboggan or slide on their bellies in the ice.

Emperor penguins reach sexual maturity at five years of age. By then, they travel almost 90 kilometers inland to the breeding site. The female emperor penguin lays a one-pound egg but is unable to incubate because its nutritional reserves are depleted. Thus, the male penguin incubates the egg in its brood pouch, an abdominal fold found between the abdomen and the legs, while the female returns to the sea to feed. When the female returns, she finds her family and does her part in taking care of the young chick.

Emperor penguins are very social animals. They usually huddle together in compact groups, leaning against each other to help fight the cold. At present, the empire penguin population stands at almost 200,000 breeding pairs. The emperor penguin has also found its way into film, literature, comics, cartoons, and other popular culture; it is one of the most recognizable birds.