![A diagram showing the life cycle of emperor penguins.](http://static.sciencelearn.org.nz/images/images/000/003/900/full/PENGUIN_LIFECYCLE_H.jpeg?1674172402)
A diagram showing the life cycle of emperor penguins, including the breeding cycle from May to December.
The chicks go through a guard stage in December and January, this is the time from hatching up to 4–6 weeks old. The post-guard stage is when the parents leave the nest unguarded. This stage is from 4–6 weeks in January and February.