Evolution and Fossils: Penguins have a long evolutionary history, and the oldest known fossil of a penguin dates back around 62 million years and was found in New Zealand. The Waimaru genus is considered the earliest known ancient penguin.
Body Structure: Penguins have unique body structures. They have short wings that are not capable of flight, but they use them as flippers for swimming underwater. Their front limbs are used for walking on land, and they can also slide on their bellies using their front abdomen to move quickly on snow.
Species Diversity: There are around 18 different species of penguins worldwide. However, 13 of them are currently facing population declines due to climate change, habitat loss, and human negligence in wildlife conservation.
Lifespan and Life in the Sea: Penguins have a lifespan of around 15-20 years. They spend a significant portion of their lives, about 75%, in marine environments. Penguins have a unique glandular system that allows them to filter excess salt from their blood. The salt is excreted as a liquid through their nostrils, enabling them to drink seawater and thrive in such environments.
Social Relationships: Penguins live in colonies and have a high degree of social interaction. Each colony can consist of thousands of penguins, and individual pairs can recognize and care for their own offspring through distinctive vocalizations.
Roles of Males and Females: During the incubation period, male penguins take on the role of egg incubation for about two months, while females go out to sea to forage for food. After this period, the roles are reversed to ensure the well-being of both parents.
Communication and Emotional Bonds: Penguins communicate and exchange information through body language, using their heads and flippers. Particularly fascinating is the emotional bond between penguin mothers and their chicks. When a chick gets lost or dies, the mother may “kidnap” another family’s chick and raise it as her own, possibly driven by the inability to cope with the loss and resorting to self-deception.
Swimming and Diving Abilities: Penguins are excellent swimmers and divers. They can swim at speeds of around 15 miles per hour, surpassing the international Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps, who averages 4.7 miles per hour. They can dive underwater for extended periods, with some penguins holding the record for diving as deep as 565 meters.
Camouflage: The distinctive coloration of penguins, with a white belly and dark back, serves as camouflage. The black color helps them blend into the dark ocean when diving, while the white color helps them conceal themselves on icebergs or snowy landscapes.
Gender Identification: Penguins do not have external sexual organs, making it difficult to distinguish between males and females visually. Genetic testing is required to determine the sex. Furthermore, same-sex relationships have been observed within penguin populations.
