Penguin or penguin (Sphenisciformes order, family Spheniscidae) is an aquatic animal species of birds that can not fly and generally live in the southern hemisphere.
Species and habitatsAround the world there are 16 species of penguin [1] depending on whether the two Eudyptula species are included as a species. Although all types of penguins originally came from the southern hemisphere, but penguins are not found only in cold regions or in the Antarctic. There are three species of penguins that live in the tropics. One of the species living in the Galapagos Islands (Galapagos Penguin) and usually cross the equator in search of food.
SizeLargest penguin species is the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) to reach 1.1 meters tall and weighing 35 pounds or more.
The smallest penguin species is the Fairy Penguin (Eudyptula Minor) with a height of about 40 cm and weighing one kg. In general, a large penguin better able to maintain their body temperature so that it can survive in the colder regions, while smaller penguins are generally found in warm regions even the tropics.
FoodGenerally penguins eat krill (a type of shrimp), fish, [1] squid and other aquatic animals are caught while swimming in the sea with its beak. Penguins can drink sea water because the body supraorbital gland filters excess salt from the bloodstream sea. The salt is then issued in the form of liquid through the respiratory tract penguin.
BodyEmperor Penguin (Emperor Penguin)Penguin's body is suitable for swimming and living in water [1]. Rower and the wings are not able to fly. On land penguins using tails and wings to maintain balance when walking.
Each penguin has a white color next to his body and a dark color (usually black) on the outside of the body. It is useful for camouflage. Predators such as sea lions from the water would be difficult to see the penguins because her belly is white mixed with sea surface reflection. While dark surface on the back also disguise the penguin out of sight of predators in the water.
The ability to swim and divePenguin was able to swim at speeds of 6 to 12 km / h even been recorded to 27km/jam. Small penguins normally dive for one to two minutes from the surface of the water to catch food. Penguin larger size, that emperor penguins can dive up to 565 meters over the past 20 minutes.
Walk and glideTo save energy, sometimes a penguin walking with short legs or sliding in the snow with her.
Sensing capabilitiesPenguins have a very good hearing. If you are on land, penguins relies heavily on his hearing. Eye penguins adapt to vision under water in search of food and avoid predators. The ability of olfactory penguin is still not yet known and requires further research.
SexTo see the penguin sex is very difficult, because penguins have no external genitalia. Consequently for sexist penguins, humans must use investigation techniques chromosomal / DNA.