Penguins

[natalie_1982]

Where do Emperor Penguins get their name from?

[Clanad]

Emperor penguins owe their scientific name (Aptenodytes forsteri) to their discoverer, the first natural scientist to reach Antarctica, the German Johann Reinhold Forster. Forster came to Antarctica in 1770, on Captain James Cook's ship, and saved Cook's life during the voyage. Cook was weakened by hunger and cold. Forster served him fresh meat-bouillon although there was only rusk on board. But when Cook recovered, the ship's dog was missing. Maybe that's the reason why the emperors were named for their appearance rather than their discoverer. (With thnaks to Encarta Encylopedia)...

[natalie_1982]

Thanks for all the info on their scientific name, Clanad.

 

Sorry, I think you'll have to explain though -  how are they named after their appearance?  How many black and white emperors have orannge necks/ chests? 

[Clanad]

As nearly as I can determine, the name Emperor differentiates this sub-species from the next largest penguin; the King. Just as there is no specific name for male and female Emperor's, there doesn't appear to be specific source for the name.  The name penguin . may be Welsh in origin...pen gwyn means "white head" but may have been assigned to the Great Auk, which is now extinct. Other origins are suggested.  Hmmmm... somethings are, well... just that way!

[Cetti]

They are so named because out of the 16 species of penguin the Emperor is the largest.

They can weigh up to 101 pounds and stand nearly 4 feet in height.