Is it a natural instinct for a mother penguin to steal anothers chick when her own dies?

I was watching march of the penguins last night and i was curiousIs it a natural instinct for a mother penguin to steal anothers chick when her own dies?
That would be highly unlikely as the chicks and their parents are imprinted on each other through vocalizations at hatching.....seems a bit of anthropomorphising going on in the movie, sorry to say reality is a little more 'dog eat dog'.


Chicks from other 'nests' are more likely to be pecked very harshly if they stray as penguins are very territorial.


See ya!Is it a natural instinct for a mother penguin to steal anothers chick when her own dies?
Yes, thanks to the ';late great Steve Irwin.'; He did a special on the aquatic animals of the tundras, and the polar regions.
I think so, it makes sense sorta, since some of the mothers/fathers don't survive. I think it's the nature's way of keeping the penguin population going.