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CyberDodo and the Penguins (1-34)

How is he able to support the cold ? 2/2

The body temperature of a penguin is between 37.8 and 38.9 degrees Celsius. As we have already seen, it is the feathers of the penguin which manage to isolate his skin from both water and wind but, still, how is it possible that he can withstand temperatures that would kill a human being in a matter of minutes ? There are five main reasons why the penguin is able to do so :

1) First of all, he is able to regulate his blood circulation according to his body temperature
2) He also has a thick layer of fat which increases his resistance to cold
3) Between his feathers and skin, there is layer of downy feathers which trap air and form a sort of « thermal underwear »
4) The penguin's black dorsal feathers capture the heat of the sun which works to heat up his body
5) Finally, when standing, unruffled by the cold, he rests on his feet and tail in a way as to avoid direct contact between his body and the frozen ground

Despite this naturally incredible « equipment », when diving in waters around zero degrees (or even below), it is imperative that he remain in movement as to maintain his body heat and, when back on land, he will spend many long hours polishing and grooming his feathers which really do ensure his survival against the cold, water and wind.

However, from time to time it does happen that a penguin will get too warm, and in this case, he will simply move his wings to cool down

Naturally adapted to the cold

Attention ! This species, like so many others, is sadly in danger. Global warming is fast melting our polar icecaps, one of the main consequence thereof being the disappearance of penguins' nesting environments.

Lest we not forget pollution, whereby tidal currents carry toxic substance all the way to the Antarctic where they turn up in krill, fish, etc.

Notable is the situation of jelly fishes which constitute the main food source of penguins they ingest these pollutants and die, thereby depriving the sea birds of one of their main food sources.

And finally, intensive fishing is destroying the fish reserves and thus even further weakening penguin colonies. According to estimates, more than half of penguin populations have disappeared in only the last quarter of a century.

One more reason to consider the question « Can we imagine infinite growth on a finite planet ? » (See the report)

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