Pre-reading questions:
- What do you know about penguins and their natural habitats?
- What kinds of behaviors or characteristics are commonly associated with penguins?
Vocabulary:
- altered /AAL-trd/
- breed /breed/
- adapt /uh-DAPT/
- conservation /kon-ser-VEY-shuhn /
- highlight /HAHY-lahyt/
[adjective] – changed; different
The altered schedule for the event caused some confusion among the participants.
[verb] – to keep animals for the purpose of producing young animals in a controlled way
The farmer bred the cows to improve their milk production and develop a stronger herd.
[verb] – to change, or to change something, to suit different conditions or uses
In order to survive in harsh environments, some animals have evolved to adapt to extreme temperatures.
[noun] – the protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important structures and buildings, especially from the damaging effects of human activity
The national park has strict policies in place for the conservation of endangered species and the preservation of its unique ecosystems.
[verb] – to attract attention to or emphasize something important
The annual awards ceremony aims to highlight the outstanding achievements of individuals in various fields of science and technology.
Article reading:
Traditionally, Emperor penguins breed on stable sea ice during the harsh Antarctic winter, providing safety for their hatchlings. But rising temperatures have led to shifting sea ice patterns, prompting penguins to adapt. Many colonies are now choosing floating icebergs for breeding, while others are moving closer to the Antarctic coast. These adaptations demonstrate the penguins’ resilience and ability to navigate change to ensure their species’ survival. Yet, there are complex outcomes. Breeding site availability impacts their population size and conservation status. Researchers closely monitor these changes to understand the broader consequences of climate change for these creatures. This situation highlights climate change’s far-reaching impacts, even in the most remote environments, emphasizing the urgency of global efforts to address and mitigate its effects. It’s a reminder that even the hardest ecosystems are not immune to change, urging us to take action to protect these remarkable penguins and their habitats.
Comprehension questions
- What shift in Emperor penguins’ breeding habits has been observed in the Antarctic due to climate change?
- What is the traditional breeding location for Emperor penguins, and why is it crucial for their hatchlings?
- How have rising temperatures and altered climate conditions affected the breeding patterns of Emperor penguins?
- What adaptations have Emperor penguins made in response to changing sea ice patterns?
- What are the complex outcomes of Emperor penguins choosing different breeding sites?
Discussion questions
- Have you ever found it interesting how animals like Emperor penguins change their behavior when their environment changes? If so, what changes in their behavior do you find most fascinating? If not, does the idea of animals adapting to climate change intrigue you?
- Can you relate the way Emperor penguins adapt their breeding habits to any times in your own life when you had to adjust to new situations?
- Do you think studying how Emperor penguins change their breeding habits because of climate change can teach us valuable things about how other animals might adapt to new circumstances?
- How might changing where Emperor penguins breed, from solid ice to floating icebergs and coastal areas, affect how many of them survive and how many there are in the future?
- Considering how climate change affects many different types of living things, what important lessons can we learn from how Emperor penguins change their behavior? How might these lessons help us deal with the effects of climate change on a worldwide level?