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The Life of Penguins

This Science Minute was researched and written by Miranda S., East Smithfield, PA.

Swish, swish! Splash, splash! What’s that sound? It’s the sound of penguins tobogganing across the snow and others diving deep down into the water. Did you know that penguins slide across the snow on their stomachs? Some can dive as far as 150 feet down in the water.

Penguins live on the coasts of Antarctica, South Africa, Australia, and other places south of the equator. Some penguins live in cool places, and others live where it is warm and dry. Penguins spend over half of their time in the ocean.

These birds are warm-blooded. Baby penguins are hatched from eggs. The parents protect the egg and keep it warm until it hatches. It can take up to two whole days for the baby to crack out of its shell!

Penguins have a very poor sense of smell. They can see better underwater than they can see on land. Did you know that penguins don’t have knees? They have solid bones that allow them to dive into the water.

Penguins have fleshy spikes on their tongue and in their mouths to help them hold onto slippery food. Penguins are carnivores; they eat squid and fish. Their throats and stomachs stretch to allow them to eat their food whole.