Typically, the members of a species follow the path of evolution during centuries to fully adapt to the conditions of their habitats, which is why penguins have a layer of feathers that isolates them from the wind and low temperatures of their habitat.
Penguins have some adaptive options which help them to outlive their chilly habitat. Penguin physical adaptations include thick fats layer underneath their pores and skin supplies insulation whereas their darkish colored overlapping feathers soak up warmth from the solar, offering waterproof feathers and heat.
What are the adaptations of a penguin?
Penguins have a thick layer of fat underneath the skin which helps to store energy. This thick layer of fat also insulates them. Penguin feathers are specially designed. They are short and have an under-layer of fine woolly down, and easily shed water, a useful quality given that penguins spend up to 75% of their time in the water.
One of the next things we asked ourselves was, what is the habitat of a penguin?
But the habitats of penguins are not always cold; some can be warm and temperate, and penguins manage to survive, as long as the environment is not arid because their body cannot endure in such environment. For example, the Galapagos penguin lives very well in these tropical islands; however,.
How do penguins survive in the Cold?
Dr Tom Hart explains how penguin feathers have evolved to allow penguins to survive in a cold environment. One of the ways penguins keep warm is by having a very waterproof outer feather and a dry, downy, warm inner part of the feather. It’s a little like having a waterproof jacket with a warm inner layer.
Regulating their body heat by various means is also an adaptation that helps penguins with their survival. When penguins feel hot, they spread their flippers to remove body heat and in cold conditions, they keep their flippers close to their body and tuck their chin in to conserve body heat.