Ukrainian researchers capture astonishing penguin behavior in Antarctic waters
Recent studies conducted by Ukrainian scientists at the «Vernadsky» station in Antarctica have provided unique footage and insights into the natural behavior of penguins in their environment.
Scientists captured an extraordinary scene: a massive flock of penguins preparing to leap into the water — a moment that lasts longer than it initially appears.
According to researchers, before taking off into the sea, penguins often stand motionless on the shore for extended periods, carefully choosing the optimal moment.
This behavior is driven by their wariness of predators lurking in the open waters, such as sea leopards.
The footage, filmed by geophysicist Albert Graboveckiy of the 30th expedition, helps deepen the understanding of penguin conduct.
Station staff humorously noted that to see large groups of penguins, it’s best to step out for a coffee at 5 a.m.
The team has previously documented instances where hundreds of penguins traverse the Galeandz Island in search of breeding sites before diving into the ocean for food.
Analysis of their behavior reveals that group penguin dives are a survival strategy: they reduce the individual risk of predator attacks, as predators like sea leopards or orcas are less likely to catch one bird when many plunge together.
When a colony participates in collective diving, it presents a significant hunting challenge for predators.
Currently, about 7,000 penguins are actively nesting at Galeandz Island, laying eggs and building nests.
Scientists have also discovered that large penguin colonies significantly influence the local Antarctic climate: their droppings release large amounts of ammonia, with concentrations near colonies exceeding normal levels by up to a thousand times.
This contributes to the formation of gas clouds that trap solar heat and potentially slow down regional global warming.