Penguins stand as the most charismatic birds in the southern hemisphere. You instantly recognize their tuxedo-like feathers and waddling walk, but their biology is far more complex than it appears. Uniquely, they are expert swimmers that "fly" underwater with incredible speed. For instance, some species can dive deeper than most submarines. Consequently, they survive in the harshest frozen landscapes on Earth. Finally, let’s explore the flightless wonders of the ice.
Penguins
Penguins actually possess knees, but you cannot see them. Specifically, their upper legs are hidden inside their bodies, which gives them their short, waddling appearance.
They have a special gland above their eyes that filters salt from their blood. Remarkably, this allows them to drink seawater without getting sick, as they sneeze out the excess salt.
The Emperor Penguin can hold its breath for over 20 minutes underwater. Therefore, it can dive to depths of 1,850 feet [565 meters] to hunt for squid and fish.
Male penguins often gift female penguins with a pebble as a symbol of love. Essentially, if she accepts the smooth stone, they use it to start building a nest together.
Surprisingly, penguins push each other into the water to check for predators. The group waits on the edge until one falls in; if that one survives, the rest jump in immediately.
They lose all their feathers at once during a process called the catastrophic molt. During this two-week period, they look incredibly messy and cannot swim or hunt for food.
The Gentoo Penguin is the fastest swimming bird in the world. Specifically, it can reach speeds of up to 22 miles per hour [35 kilometers per hour] underwater.
Penguins do not live at the North Pole. In fact, almost all wild penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere, with the Galapagos Penguin being the only one found north of the equator.
They can shoot their poop with high pressure to keep their nests clean. Researchers discovered they can launch waste up to 4 feet [1.2 meters] away from their body.
The black and white coloring acts as camouflage known as countershading. From above, their black backs blend with the dark ocean; from below, their white bellies blend with the bright surface.
King Penguins do not build nests of stone or grass. Instead, they balance their single egg on their feet and cover it with a warm flap of belly skin.
Fossil evidence shows that giant penguins once roamed the Earth. These ancient birds, known as “mega-penguins,” stood nearly 6 feet 7 inches [2 meters] tall.
They have spiny tongues and jaws to help them catch slippery prey. These backward-facing spines prevent fish from wiggling out of their mouths once caught.
Male Emperor Penguins incubate the egg for months during the harsh winter. Meanwhile, the females leave for the ocean to hunt and return later to feed the hatched chick.
Penguins recognize each other by their distinct vocal calls. Even in a massive colony of thousands of noisy birds, a parent and chick can find each other by voice alone.
