The post These Penguins Can’t Outrun a Tipping Iceberg appeared first on A-Z Animals.
Penguins are so cute with their tuxedo-like feathers, their adorable waddle, and the way they slide on their bellies across the ice. Navigating frigid conditions is second nature to these cool creatures, but sometimes, even they can’t outrun Mother Nature. They sure can try, though! In a new video of a huddle of penguins, the adorable birds are hanging out on a slab of ice and scrambling to stay afloat as it starts to tip over. It’s amazing to watch them try to outrun an iceberg (especially since we know they are completely safe on the ice and in the water).
The YouTube Short from IncredibleNature features several penguins gathered on a blue slab of ice. One jumps up from the water onto the ice, where it simply enjoys the view for half a second. Suddenly, the iceberg begins to tip over — and down go the penguins! All the penguins slide down the icy slope and into the water.
It’s the cutest thing ever, seeing the different ways these penguins react to the iceberg tilting. One penguin claps its flippers together repeatedly. Another attempts to waddle up the middle of the rising iceberg to avoid falling off. Once the remaining stragglers realize it’s a lost cause, they turn and dive into the water, seemingly admitting defeat — and maybe hoping for a classier exit. Or perhaps the social creatures just want to join their friends. (If all your friends jumped off an iceberg, would you?)
By the end of the 19-second video, no penguins are left on the iceberg. However, we bet they are just fine playing and swimming in the water instead.
Penguins gather on an iceberg before it tips over.
©IncredibleNature/YouTube
How much do penguins weigh?
Some penguins can grow up to 45 inches tall and weigh up to 100 pounds, so when a group gathers on an iceberg, it’s no surprise that the added weight can cause it to tip. Penguins use their tails and wings to help them balance, and when they are on their stomachs, they use their feet to steer and propel themselves in a movement called tobogganing. Even penguin eggs are built to protect the chicks from icy or rough terrain, as their shells are extra thick.
But don’t worry. Even when the penguins fall into the water, they are OK. These non-flying birds are excellent swimmers, with many clocking in at 4 to 7 miles per hour. Gentoo penguins are even able to swim at 22 miles per hour! Emperor penguins can dive as deep as 565 meters below the surface. The longest dive recorded by an emperor penguin lasted for 32 minutes.
Penguin feet help them grip on icebergs
©iStock.com/axily
To stay gripped on an iceberg, like in the video, or when walking along an icy path, penguins use their claws. These clever animals often rock side to side as they walk, using their flippers for balance and their strong claws to dig into the ice when necessary. They are much more agile in the water, able to swim and leap as far as 6 feet from the water’s surface onto a rock or iceberg.
Penguin feet have many interesting adaptations, including the ability to control blood flow to retain heat in cold conditions. According to Penguins International, penguins keep their feet just one or two degrees above freezing to reduce heat loss and prevent frostbite. We wouldn’t need winter boots if we could do that!
Where do penguins live?
©Altitude Visual/Shutterstock.com
Chances are you’ve seen penguins at your local zoo. But in the wild, these animals live in the Southern Hemisphere, including Angola, Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, Chile, Namibia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Falkland Islands.
Penguins are carnivores who dine on fish, squid, crustaceans, krill, anchovies, cuttlefish, mullet, octopus, and more, depending on the specific species and their location. They are threatened by predators, including leopard seals, sharks, killer whales, fur seals, and sea lions.
Climate change and human encroachment are other major threats to these animals. There are 18 species of penguins left, with 11 of them classified as being under threat. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists several penguin species as endangered, including the Northern rockhopper penguin, erect-crested penguin, yellow-eyed penguin, African penguin (also known as the Cape penguin), and Galapagos penguin.
The post These Penguins Can’t Outrun a Tipping Iceberg appeared first on A-Z Animals.
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