The Future’s Kingly Penguin

King penguins or Aptenodytes patagonicus generally live on sub-Antarctic islands, and rely mainly on lanternfish that live in the twilight zone of the ocean for food. Shifting climate will cause these lanternfish to move further south to follow the cold waters and will change what squids King penguins eat. Luckily, warmer water squid and lanternfish will likely move in as their preferred waters shift. However, they are usually smaller than their cold water counterparts as they don't have to conserve as much heat. This warmer environment and change in food source could cause several adaptations in King penguins. Firstly, King penguins would likely evolve to be smaller to adapt to the less energy they’ll get. Secondly, they might gain more pointed, serrated beaks to have an easier time grabbing their smaller prey. Lastly, their plumage might become less thick to shed heat more easily to adapt to warmer temperatures.