Penguin Watch Talk

Do penguins eat their chicks egg shells please?

Subject: APZ00017pm

by Motherjoanne

#hatching egg/chick! At the top of the ridge. Looks like chick's head coming out of egg. Right?

Posted April 17, 2015 5:04 PM
by AvastMH moderator

Took a really close look - with hope and excitement, but I think it is a very pale chick curled around (looking like the egg shell). Try

Posted April 17, 2015 5:24 PM
by AvastMH moderator

this version up very close: http://zooniverse-static.s3.amazonaws.com/www.penguinwatch.org/subjects/standard/54119e1e12fc4d79f3045beb.JPG

Posted April 17, 2015 5:25 PM
by Motherjoanne

Think you are right - but very freshly born. What happens to all the egg shells - never see them?

Posted April 17, 2015 8:10 PM
by AvastMH moderator

That's a good point. A lot of birds eat the shell because of its valuable calcium content. I wonder if pengs do the same? See science board

Posted April 17, 2015 8:33 PM