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The emperor penguin is the largest penguin species in the world and is often confused with the similar, although smaller, king penguin. Unlike the king penguin, the emperor penguin has a shorter, more curved beak. The emperor's "tuxedo" pattern is also more open under the neck, while the king penguin's extends almost to the chin. King penguins also have more intense orange markings on the sides of their heads. Young king penguins are initially covered in brown down feathers, whereas young emperor penguins have gray down and a distinctive black-and-white facial mask, as depicted in the movie *Happy Feet*. Penguins are known for their lifelong monogamy, with emperor penguins typically forming stable partnerships. Each breeding season, an emperor penguin lays a single egg, which it balances on its feet, warming it with a brood pouch located on the ventral side of its body. Because of the harsh subantarctic conditions, emperor penguins have extremely dense, "hair-like" feathers for insulation. During molting, old feathers are pushed out by new growth, giving them a somewhat ragged appearance. Emperor penguins are ichthyophagous, meaning they eat fish. Although they may appear clumsy on land and often slide on their stomachs, they are agile and skilled divers. Their feet, positioned towards the back of the body, act as an efficient propelling mechanism in water. Because of their limited mobility on land, emperor penguins nest in colonies, providing them with better protection against predators. Penguins are long-lived birds; for example, the oldest documented king penguin lived to be 36 years old and passed away in Gloucestershire, Great Britain.
