QUESTION:
How deep can the Adelie penguins dive, and how long can they remain
underwater without breathing? How long do they live?

        From Jared H., Age 6, 
             Cairo, Georgia


ANSWER from Steve Downey, Antarctic expert
            Fri, 7 Feb 1997 09:07:55 -0500

Adelie-sized penguins have been known to dive as deep as 250 feet and stay
under for 7 minutes (although most of their dives are less than 50 feet and
last between 20 and 30 seconds).  Larger penguins, such as the Emperor, have
been recorded diving over 1,755 feet (approximately 6 football fields deep)
and spending over 20 minutes underwater.  That's a long time to hold your
breath, eh?

To make deeper dives, penguins slow they heart rate a lot.  Adelies
will lower their heart rate from 80-100 beats per minute (about the same
rate as humans) down to 20 beats per minute (a rate a which human can't
survive).  They are able to do this because they make better use of the
oxygen in their blood than we humans do.

As for how long they live, penguins generally live for 15-20 years.  The
first year is the hardest.  Cold and predators (such as killer whales and
leopard seals) claim a majority of the baby penguins born each year.

Thanks for your question!
Steve