. Gentoo penguins form large groups and then drop large amounts of poop (officially called guano). Researchers say this darkens snow and makes it melt. This exposes the rocky ground where they build their nests. Scientists from the University of Oxford, Australia Antarctic Division claim that Gentoo penguins prefer to be in small groups before they start to breed. They use their dark, thick guano to melt rocky breeding areas earlier than normal. The guano makes the snow absorb heat more quickly than other colors. This page’s video shows the Cuverville Island Gentoo penguin colony for one year. Research suggests that crowd-pooping was not intentionally done. Image: University of Oxford. Researchers believe that the mass-pooping of penguins en-masse was not intentional. The researchers don’t believe the penguins deliberately try to make their nests ready in advance. The Gentoo penguin colony at Curverville Island off Antarctica’s west coast was filmed for a full year. The snow gauges were also used to measure how fast the snow melts as birds moved around. The area is often covered with ice and snow. However, this can change at times. Penguins often gather together in groups and leave behind piles of waste. Because of its dark coloring, the guano allows for more sunlight to penetrate it faster. The darker surface absorbs less light and melts. This leaves a lot of shelters made from bare rocks. These shelters are perfect for creating nests to raise their young. Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papa) have the longest tail. It sticks out in front and sweeps side-to-side as it walks. Pygoscelis, its Latin name means “brush-tailed”. Gentoo penguins protect their young and nests fiercely. Image: Wikimedia. It is distinguished by its bright orange-red beak and white spots that extend from the eyes. It is not known where its name, “Gentoo”, came from. According to the British Antarctic Survey, there are only 300,000 breeding couples, which makes it one of the most endangered Antarctic penguins. Gentoo penguins prefer small groups and sometimes other species to live together. They are strong at pairing up with their partners and often mate the same year as the previous year. Their nests are often found on hillsides or open beaches. They will also build nests with rocks and other small objects whenever possible. The nests into which the eggs are laid are highly guarded. Both chicks in southern areas are likely to survive. However, the chicks that hatch on the northern islands usually die. The adult Gentoo penguins who have both died will likely breed more if they are separated. The chicks are usually joined by their parents about one month after they hatch. The process of flinging takes 62 to 82 day in the south and 85 or 117 days to do in the north. Southern adult are larger than their northern counterparts. Video – Penguin mass pooping melts snow faster
