A study argues that a change in breeding habits and distinct genetic make-up may have helped certain populations of the iconic Emperor Penguins survive the harsh climate during the last Ice Age.

Emperor Penguins can thrive at temperatures of -22 degrees Fahrenheit. But from around 26,500 to 19,000 years ago (during the time when Earth's glacial sheets where at the most widespread they've been since), populations were as much as seven times smaller than today.

Like Us on Facebook

Researchers from the universities of Southampton, Oxford, Tasmania and the Australian Antarctic Division traced modern Emperor Penguins back to three distinct genetic groups that survived the colder period.

They believe the three groups broke into small populations of refugees. These populations then became more prominent again once the world warmed-up. The Ross Sea in Antarctica was likely the refuge for one of the only three populations that survived,

One of the lead authors Gemma Clucas from University of Southampton explained the penguins were unable to breed in more than a few locations around Antarctica because there was twice as much sea ice during the last Ice Age.

"The distances from the open ocean, where the penguins feed, to the stable sea ice, where they breed, was probably too far. The three populations that did manage to survive may have done so by breeding near to polynyas -- areas of ocean that are kept free of sea ice by wind and currents," said Clucas.

Even though Emperor Penguins need glacial sheets, they also need access to the open ocean for feeding. In most parts of Antarctica, it appears the ice coverage proved too widespread for sufficient access to food.

The study was published in the journal Global Change Biology.

TagsEmperor Penguins, penguins, Ice age, glacial sheets, Antarctica, open ocean, animal survival