QUESTION:
Why do the penguins leave one place for two years before coming back?


        Third Graders / Ellen Morton, Media Specialist
        Susan Mills, Enrichment Teacher
        Burch Elementary School
        Tyrone, Georgia
        
        
ANSWER from David Lott, Research Assistant, Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Fri, 14 Feb 1997 14:59:59 -0500

Dear Third Graders and Ms. Morton and Ms. Mills,

When the penguins first leave the island from which they are hatched, 
they usually don't come back for a year or two.  According to 
information in a book by Tony Williams, they do this as they mature.  
When they are old enough to breed, they will usually come back to 
nest on the same island and even to nearly the same location as they 
were hatched.

Thanks for your question!
David