Penguins

The penguin is a fascinating bird. There are 17 different kinds of penguin. The penguin spends much of its life in the sea, so it can swim very well. A penguin is one of the few birds that cannot fly. A penguin uses its feathers to keep its skin dry. Its feathers are shiny and waterproof. Penguins continually lose their feathers and grow new ones. Penguins have big heads with short, thick necks. They have web-shaped feet for swimming and flipper-like wings for “gliding” through the water. Their coloring is usually black and white, although there are some brown penguins. Penguins are known for their “tuxedo” look.

The largest of the penguins is called the emperor penguin. This penguin stands at over three-and-a-half feet tall and weighs about 65 pounds. It is hard to tell the difference between male and female penguins because they look so much alike.

All wild penguins are found in the southern hemisphere. They live in climates ranging from warm tropics to very cold and frigid landscapes. Only penguins with a heavy amount of blubber can live in freezing climates. A penguin is not able to defend itself, so it lives in an area that is generally free from predators. Penguins eat fish, squid, and crustaceans.

Penguins are very social animals and have been known to mate with just one penguin during the breeding season. It is the female penguin that competes for a mate’s attention.