Adelie Penguin
Adaptations
Jean Pennycook
penguinscience.com
The ancestors of Adélie and Emperor penguins
lived in areas of temperate climate (like California
is now). When Adelie (and Emperor) Penguins
adapted to the harsh conditions of the Antarctic
they were able to live where there were far fewer
predators and less competition for food from
other birds than there was in warmer
environments. However, the harsh environment
requires all their energy just to survive.
How do they do it?
• Wings: swimming
• Feet: walking, tobogganing
• Feathers: keeping warm
• Mouth: catching prey
Wings
Penguin wings might remind you more of a dolphin’s flipper and yet
dolphins are mammals and penguins are birds. Dolphins use their tail,
but penguins use their wings (flippers) to propel themselves through the
water using little energy. It has been said that penguins fly through the
water because the movement of their wings is similar to the wing
movements of birds flying in the air. However, unlike air-flying birds,
penguins gain power on both the up stroke and down stroke of their
wings when they are swimming.
Being powerful swimmers is
one of the adaptation for this
environment because the only
food available is in the ocean.
There are no land organisms in
Antarctica for penguins to eat.
Penguin bones in the wing are flat, solid and very strong. Here you
can see the wrist and finger bones. Wing bones in birds that fly are
round and hollow. This adaptation means their flipper will be flat for
better movement through the water and strong for powerful strokes.
Penguin Body Form
The penguin body shape has been described as the most
hydrodynamic* form possible. Scientist have used the penguin
form to design underwater vehicles, torpedoes and submarines.
For penguins such a shape allows them to swim fast if they need
to and over long distances using the least amount of energy.
All of the food for these birds is in the ocean. Being a powerful
swimmer is an important adaptation for these birds.
Penguins do not paddle along the surface like a duck and
unlike a duck, penguin feet are used only to steer. In the
picture below you can see the motion of the penguin as it
launches from the water to take a breath of air.
Click on the image to see the video of penguins swimming
Feet
Penguin feet are strong with long nails for climbing over ice and
rock. Many people think they have short legs but as you can
see from the skeleton their legs are long and strong.
Click the picture to see Adelie Penguins walking on the ice
Another form of movement along the ice is
tobogganing. Here they slide on their
bellies and push with their feet and legs.
Click the
picture to
watch the
video
Feathers
Adelie penguin feathers appear black. But they actually have small blue
tips. Adelie penguin coloration helps them survive. The black color of
their backs absorb the sun’s energy when they are on the ice and when
they are in the water the white bellies make them hard to see by
predators and prey below them.
The feathers have a hard shell that overlays other feathers to keep
the penguin dry in the water. At the base of the feather is a tuff of
down that hold air against their bodies to keep them warm.
Underneath the skin penguins have a insulating layer of fat
to keep them warm not only in the water, but also when they
are on the ice.
The only place not covered with feathers on the Adelie Penguin is
the brood patch. Just big enough for 2 eggs this is where the eggs
incubate against the warm body of the penguin.
Mouth, Beaks
Adelie penguin beaks and
mouth are highly adapted to
catching their prey krill, small
fish and squid. Their beaks are
short and strong and their
tongues have soft projections
on them to keep the prey from
getting away.
Notice also the small hook at
the end of the beak to help
catch and hold the prey while
the penguin is swimming.
As you can see Adelie Penguins are
suited for the harsh environment they
live in. They cannot fly but they have
adapted special features that allow them
to not only survive, but thrive in the
coldest place on Earth.
To learn more about Adelie Penguins go to
www.penguinscience.com
Other Powerpoint presentations for you classroom:
Introduction to the Polar regions, Why is Antarctica so cold?
Introduction to Adelie Penguins, Adelie Penguins march into the classroom
Penguin Adaptations, This is a harsh continent
Adelie Penguin Behavior, Good manners are always in style
Penguin Predation and Competition, Life is tough for an Adelie Penguin
Adelie Penguins Cope with Global Climate Change
Did You Know, How researchers know what they know
Penguin Quandaries, Can you answer these mysteries
Fun pictures about Adelie Penguin
Go to www.penguinscience.com The education page.