People all over the world are familiar with penguins. They are birds that do not fly, but they still lay eggs, have feathers, and are warm-blooded.

Habitat

Physical Characteristics



Penguins are found in many different habitats, or places. They live from the frozen land of Antarctica to the sandy beaches of Africa. They live from the rocky coasts of South America to the coasts of New Zealand. Penguins have adapted to more habitats and climates than any other animal in the world.

Penguins have long, flat flippers that help them swim and dive for fish, squid, and krill. They have very short legs that are set far back on their lower body. They stand upright and waddle when they walk.

Penguins are covered with waterproof feathers. The feathers are stiff, short and grow close together. These feathers grow over a thick coat of fluffy down. Penguins have a thick layer of blubber, or fat right under their skin. This blubber keeps them warm or insulated from the cold snow and icy waters they swim in.

All penguins have about the same colors. They have a black back and a white belly. This is called protective coloration or camouflage. When a penguin floats on its belly in the water their enemies, such as a leopard seal or the killer whale can not see the penguin. This is because when the predator looks up through the water it can not see the penguin because the light shining through the water makes everything look white. This is also true for the black head and back. As the penguin floats in the water, its black coloring is hard to see in the water because the water also looks black. The black coloring on the back and head also helps the penguin soak in the warmth from the sun.