MALE king penguins store undigested food in their stomachs for up to three weeks, a talent unique among higher vertebrates. This ensures a constant supply of food for their chicks. But how they do it was a mystery.
Now an analysis of the birds’ stomach contents shows the penguins keep food fresh by destroying bacteria in their stomachs, suggesting that they produce an antibacterial agent in their digestive tracts.
Males use their stomach contents to feed chicks when bad weather delays the female returning with food. Tests on seven males on Possession Island that were incubating eggs and conserving food…
