Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 14:41
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Human Impacts in Antarctica 2011

Ms.Brown, Why can't penguins lay more than 2 eggs per season?

By Lorenzo Mantia O.henry Middle School

Tue, 12/13/2011 - 19:34

Michelle Brown

Hello Lorenzo,What a great question! The number of offspring an organism gives off is based on a number of factors. The fact that the eggs are protected by the mother and father means that there is a better chance of survival for them. For example, humans typically have only one child at a time, while tomatoes or cucumbers have many seeds, since they have a less likely chance of surviving and finding soil to grow in. The same is true with fish or frogs, they have many eggs, since they cannot protect them as well as a Penguin or other animal.
There may be other reasons why penguins only have 2 eggs as well--I will try to investigate this further. Great question!
Sincerely,
Ms. Brown