Emperor Penguin

Expansion: Base game

Fame: 1 star

Base Donation Amount: 80

Max Tour Value: 20

Adopt Rarity: 1

Prey Classification: Medium Prey (adult), Small Prey (young)

Zoopedia

Conservation Status: Lower Risk

Class: Birds (Aves)

Order: Penguins (Sphenisciformes)

Family: Penguins (Spheniscidae)

Genus: Aptenodytes

Species: forsteri

Tundra

Antarctica

To unlock the emperor penguin in challenge or campaign games, you must earn a 1-star zoo fame rating for your zoo.

The emperor penguin is one of only two penguin species that live on the frozen Antarctic continent. Penguin is the common name for 17 species of flightless seabirds widely distributed in cooler waters and along coastlines in the Southern Hemisphere. Skilled swimmers, penguins have streamlined, barrel-like bodies that reduce drag in the water. Their wings, modified to form thin, stiff flippers, provide propulsion while swimming.

Unlike the bones of other birds, penguin bones are solid, not hollow, which helps them remain submerged underwater. On land, penguins have a waddling gait due to their short, thick legs set far back on the body. Penguins come ashore to breed, but they are, in fact, true marine animals, spending as much as 80 percent of their lives underwater.

Fun Emperor Penguin Facts

• Studies indicate that penguins are champion divers. The large emperor penguin can reach depths of over 1,600 ft (500 m).
• While most birds shed their feathers and grow new ones during a relatively long period of the year, penguins renew their entire plumage over two to four weeks.
• A molting penguin generally stands immobile during its molting period, and has a very swollen, disheveled appearance.

Contributed By: Tony D. Williams

Content provided courtesy of Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2004. © 1993–2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Errors and Trivia

Emperor Penguin Exhibit Guide

The cheapest exhibit plan I could find that takes up more than 43.75 squares is an oblique rectangle costing $1,350. In the future I may do an article on how using diagonals affects Zoo Tycoon 2 fencing costs.

Adoption cost: $2,000

Space for first animal: 50 squares (200 triangles)

Space per additional animal: 3 squares (12 triangles)

Cheapest Fence: Low tundra fence, $75/square, $1,350 total for a 2-animal exhibit

Food: Grass or hay, cheapest $75

Enrichment: None required, uses carrot or salt lick

Shelter: Uses shade structure, wooden shelters, or stables, cheapest $200

Native Biome: Tundra (+10)

Other Compatible Biomes: Alpine (+2), Benthic (0), Boreal Forest (0), Coastal (0), Pelagic (0), Reef (0)

Swims?: Yes

Total Cost: $ for a 2-animal exhibit, excluding rocks or additional foliage

Compatible Animals (Tundra):

Compatible Animals (Other Biomes):

• *Will eat young emperor penguins.