Baby Carrier:
Emperor Penguin
(Aptenodytes forsteri)

After laying her single egg, the female carefully transfers it to the male, who incubates it in a special brood pouch.

Although it is between -20 and -50 degrees Celsius, the father penguin goes without eating any food for the next 2 - 4 months, losing about 40% of his body weight. (The mother goes to the sea to get food for the chick during this period)

When the chick hatches, the father protects his baby from the freezing cold by having the chick sit on his feet, huddled beneath his pouch.

For two months after the egg has hatched, the male and female cooperate to keep the baby off of the ice, warm and well-fed. When the weather warms a bit the family travels to the sea together.