Aug 1, 2025
By: Isha AgarwalWhen it comes to romance, male penguins go the extra mile. To impress a potential mate, they carefully search for the smoothest, most perfect pebble they can find. This acts like an engagement ring in the penguin world and, if accepted, becomes part of the couple’s nest.
Emperor penguins aren’t just the tallest and heaviest of all penguin species—they’re also record-holding divers. They can plunge to depths of over 500 metres to catch fish, squid, and other prey. What’s even more astonishing is that these dives can last for more than 20 minutes.
A penguin’s iconic black-and-white plumage isn’t just for looks. The dark feathers on their backs absorb heat from the sun, helping them stay warm in icy waters, while the white feathers on their bellies reflect sunlight to prevent overheating.
The Galápagos penguin, for example, lives near the equator where temperatures can get quite high. These penguins adapt to their surroundings by seeking shade in caves and swimming in cooler waters.
Penguins might be flightless in the sky, but they’ve turned swimming into an art form. Using their flippers like wings, they “fly” through water with remarkable agility and can reach speeds up to 15 mph. Their streamlined bodies and powerful strokes help them glide effortlessly.
Penguins are travellers by nature. Some species cover hundreds of kilometres in search of food, often staying at sea for weeks without touching land. These long trips test their stamina and sense of direction, proving that even small birds can be mighty explorers.
In the world of penguins, parenting is a shared responsibility. After the mother lays the egg, both parents take turns keeping it warm, often fasting for days or even weeks to protect it from the cold.
To stay warm and dry in freezing waters, penguins rely on a dense layer of feathers. They produce an oil that coats these feathers, turning them into a natural waterproof shield. This clever adaptation keeps their bodies insulated, allowing them to swim comfortably in sea.
In crowded colonies filled with thousands of noisy birds, penguins need a way to find their loved ones. That’s why each penguin has a unique call or sound signature. This special call helps partners and parents locate each other and their chicks.
While most animals would get dehydrated drinking salt water, penguins have evolved to handle it. Special glands above their eyes filter out excess salt, which they then sneeze out. This adaptation allows them to stay hydrated during long trips at sea .
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