Sources: All of the information stated in this article is based on reliable sources, and is detailed at the end of the article
Before reading this article, please click "Follow", which is not only convenient for you to discuss and share, but also can bring you a different sense of participation, thank you for your support.
Text: Twilight wine
Edited by Twilight Wine
Preface
In the southern hemisphere of the planet, especially the Antarctic continent, we can enjoy flocks of clumsy but adorable penguins.
Penguins have become the object of love of many people with their black and white appearance and cute behavior, and many people even think that penguins exist in the North and South poles. But there are no penguins in the Arctic.
So why are there no penguins in the Arctic? It's all the same icy climate, so why can't penguins survive in the Antarctic?
Penguins' journey to Earth
Penguins are not confined to Antarctica, their extensive distribution maps extend to South America, North America, southern Africa and Australia, with a total of 18 different populations that have developed unique habitats around the world.
However, it is puzzling why these adorable creatures have never set foot in the Arctic Circle.
First, we can get a glimpse of the distribution of penguins around the world. In Antarctica, emperor penguins and king penguins are known for their majestic and beautiful appearance, becoming representatives of Antarctic penguins.
In South America, North America and southern Africa, unique species such as Humboldt penguins, Magellanic penguins and yellow-eyed penguins thrive.
Australia's yellow-eyed penguins and Africa's spot-billed ringed penguins also add to the legion. These penguins live in different environments.
However, while penguins are found on all continents in the Southern Hemisphere, they are singularly absent from the Northern Hemisphere, especially the Arctic Circle. Perhaps in terms of temperature, the difference between the Antarctic and the North Pole is not much, so why don't penguins dare to step north?
The answer may lie in the migration and survival of penguins. In order to survive, many animals migrate to different places as the seasons change.
Penguins also choose to migrate, but they do so for shorter distances than other animals. The penguins have all but given up the ability to fly, opting instead to enhance their skills to move forward underwater.
This makes them incredibly nimble in the water, but clumsy on land, making them especially easy targets for predators.
Penguins' habitat determines their dependence on underwater life, but the environment in the Northern Hemisphere is not suitable for this underwater survival.
Once the penguins leave the waters, they become live targets for predators on the ground and in the sky. This natural disadvantage puts them at risk of survival when migrating.
Even in ancient times, penguins may have explored the Northern Hemisphere, but the harsh reality shattered their illusions, making it an area that penguins did not easily set foot in.
Perhaps the most likely to set foot in the Northern Hemisphere is the Garapagos Islands ringing penguins. However, due to the constraints of the surrounding seas, they do not have the ability to cross the vast ocean to reach the northern hemisphere, and eventually have to settle in their own islands.
In addition to the migratory dilemma, penguins face a grim reality of survival in the Arctic. Emperor penguins and king penguins, for example, are resilient in Antarctica, but in the Arctic they face strong and diverse competitors such as indigenous polar bears, seals, sea lions and walruses.
Penguins have a hard time finding a foothold in such an ecological chain and are likely to become a delicacy for other carnivores. Attempts have been made to introduce penguins to the Rafferton Islands in the Arctic Circle in the hope that they will be able to thrive in a land with no natural predators.
However, this attempt was unsuccessful, and the penguins did not leave a trace in the Arctic Circle. This further confirms that penguins are not creatures adapted to the Arctic environment.
Arctic journey of 69 penguins
At the beginning of the 20th century, Norwegian explorer Christensen had an ambitious dream to introduce penguins to the Arctic Circle, conducting a series of experiments in the Raffedon Islands.
However, this dream was eventually shattered, and the problems facing the penguins in the Arctic became an insurmountable obstacle. The failure of this experiment revealed the great difficulty of survival of penguins in the Arctic.
Penguins have shown remarkable survival on the Antarctic continent, but bringing them to the Arctic poses an even more serious challenge.
The ecological chain of the Arctic Circle is relatively complex, and various predators such as polar bears and seals have become potential threats. Penguins, originally Xi to the relatively single ecological environment of Antarctica, suddenly found themselves in the diverse ecosystems of the Arctic and fell into a survival dilemma.
Among them, limited food resources are the primary problem faced by penguins in the Arctic. Arctic ecosystems are home to a wide variety of species, making up an intricate food chain.
Penguins can be prey to upper-class predators such as polar bears in this environment, and they are not adapted to such predators. Penguins living in Antarctica are Xi to relatively peaceful conditions and cannot easily cope with competition and predatory pressure in the Arctic.
In addition, penguins' reproductive cycles and abilities are becoming more vulnerable to survival in the Arctic. Female emperor penguins need to leave the Raffedun Islands in search of food, which means they are at risk of not being able to return.
The Arctic environment is changing rapidly and the weather conditions are extreme, making it difficult for penguins to adapt during their long journeys, leading to the dilemma of breeding and survival.
Christensen's experiment ended in failure, and his dream failed to find a foothold in the Arctic. The results of this experiment warn us that just because penguins thrive in Antarctica's ecosystems does not mean that they are able to adapt to other extreme environments.
Each creature has its own unique adaptation and survival strategies, and the penguin's inability to establish itself in the Arctic is a testament to this difference.
The failure of this experiment not only casts doubt on the possibility of penguins surviving in the Arctic, but also reflects the delicate balance of life in nature.
Penguins in Antarctica have evolved adaptations to their local environment, including excellent swimming ability and a social lifestyle, making them a unique part of the Antarctic ecosystem. However, this particular adaptation is not the same as adaptation to other environments.
The huge difference between the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic presents penguins with risks and challenges. Despite the failure, this experiment reminds us of the need to cherish and protect the existence of each organism in its original ecosystem.
Penguins may not conquer the North Pole, but their joyful dance in the South Pole is still a unique wonder on Earth. Each creature has its own unique value, and maintaining their original state of existence is the most precious natural heritage.
Author's point of view
The dream of the Arctic penguin may be a beautiful fantasy, but the adaptive wisdom of life shines through. Penguins choose to adapt to the Antarctic environment, and the Arctic ecosystem is a brutal environment for them.
Human beings also need to have the wisdom to adapt to the pressures and challenges of life. Just as penguins choose the way to survive in Antarctica, we also need to keep forging ahead and have the courage to face new social challenges to ensure a better life.
Perhaps the Arctic Penguin's Dream is a thought-provoking fable that teaches us to value and adapt to our environment, and to embrace the unknown future with wisdom and courage.
【Disclaimer】The process and pictures described in the article are all from the Internet, and this article aims to advocate positive social energy and no vulgar and other bad guidance. If it involves copyright or character infringement issues, please contact us in time, and we will delete the content as soon as possible!
Source: Baidu Encyclopedia