Over the Ice

During winter months on Antarctica, Adelie penguins migrate north. They make their homes on large platforms of ice. Here, there is better access to food. During summer months, the penguins move south to coastal beaches. They look for ice‑free land where they can build nests.

To make these treks, the penguins must follow the sun. But in winter, the sun doesn’t rise south of the Antarctic Circle. So, the penguins chase the ice.

Sea ice “grows” during the winter and extends out from the shoreline. So, as long as the penguins live at the edge of this ice, they have access to open water.