Time-lapse reveals how penguins use feces to melt the snow

• Video shows snow blanketing the area before the penguins arrive
• The snow quickly melts away as the penguins leave a trail of guano 
• Scientists say darker colour of the faeces is helping to melt the snow 

By Ellie Zolfagharifard For Dailymail.com

Published: 30 April 2015

Antarctic Gentoo penguins appear to have a very unique way of preparing their love nests; by spreading their faeces. Time-lapse footage from a colony on Cuverville Island reveals how the creatures use their feces - called guano - to melt the snow over their breeding grounds.

The video shows snow blanketing the area before the penguins arrive. But this snow quickly melts away as the penguins leave a trail of guano in their wake.

Scroll down for video 

Oxford University researchers, who captured the footage, claim it is possible that the darker colour of the guano is helping to melt the snow by absorbing extra heat from the sun.

This is known as the 'albedo effect' and describes the process in which snow and ice reflect a lot of the sun’s energy back into space, while darker colours tend to absorb heat.

'This is something we're testing at the moment,' says Dr Tom Hart, a penguinologist from the University of Oxford told The Verge. The snow might also be melting because of mechanical erosion — because the penguins are walking around.' 

Time-lapse shows how penguins use POOP to melt snow

Antarctic penguins appear to have a very unique way of preparing their love nests; by spreading their faeces

The footage was collected as part of Penguin Watch, an Oxford University project that has asked the public to help analyse imagery being sent from the Antarctic. 

It is not know whether the penguins are spreading their faeces intentionally, but scientists believe it has given them an evolutionary advantage. 'We hope these new cameras will reveal how often penguins feed their chicks and how long they have to go to sea to feed in different regions,' said lead researcher Dr Hart. 'Until now, this has only been possible by putting GPS on penguins. The hope is that, by developing a non-invasive method, we can track penguins across the whole of the Southern Ocean without researchers needing to disturb them.'

HOW PENGUINS SURVIVE THE WORLD'S COLDEST TEMPERATURES

Ppenguins have a gene called DSG1, which in humans is known to be involved in a dermatological disease characterised by thick skin

They are the epitome of survival against the odds, enduring some of the most hostile weather conditions on the planet on a continent that is almost completely barren.

And last year, scientists gained a valuable insight into how penguins are able to cope with the extreme cold, high winds and months of darkness they experience in Antarctica.

Genetic analysis of the genomes of two species of penguin - emperor penguins, the largest of the family, and their smaller cousins Adélie penguins - has revealed some of their secrets to survival. 

Researchers found that the penguins have a vast number of genes responsible for creating the raw material needed for feathers - proteins known as beta-keratins.

They carry more genes for a particular type of beta keratin than any other bird and it is thought this is what allows them develop their thick plumage of short, stiff feathers that keep them warm.

The densely packed and barbed feathers also trap air to keep them buoyant and remain waterproof while they are swimming, allowing them to reach speeds of up to 22 mph in some species.

The scientists also discovered that penguins have a gene called DSG1, which in humans is known to be involved in a dermatological disease characterised by thick skin on the palms and feet. It believe these genes may help the penguins develop a uniquely thick skin compared to other birds.

A previous study found that the colour of penguin poo, which can be seen with satellite imagery, could allow scientists to differentiate species and track their behaviour.

Peter Fretwell and his team from the British Antarctic Survey managed to identify the breeding sites of all other seabird colonies with 50 or more pairs.

The signatures of their guano help them to map where each colony lived as well as their movements over time.

The thickness of their guano also provided a clue to the numbers of penguins in each colony of bird – a number which had been previously difficult to obtain. 

Incredible time-lapse footage from a colony on Cuverville Island reveals how the creatures use their feces - called guano - to melt the snow in their breeding grounds

'We hope these new cameras will reveal how often penguins feed their chicks and how long they have to go to sea to feed in different regions,' said lead researcher Dr Hart

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