Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: paul.fr on 22/03/2007 09:57:51
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Why don't Penguins feet freeze?
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LOL ! Gee whiz Paul You should ask LOretta she is always Knitting booties for the penguins, she would know!! LOL
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I have a whole crew of stressed out people who knit them for a good cause thank you...ps Paul, their wittle feet are cold and would love for you help out too anytime you might be stressed! lol
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I have a whole crew of stressed out people who knit them for a good cause thank you...ps Paul, their wittle feet are cold and would love for you help out too anytime you might be stressed! lol
sat knitting with Lo...heaven, but my question is still unanswerd
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Well until you get a better answer. . .
I know two things about penguin's feet (why?? I have no idea-did I hear this on one of the podcasts?)
They pass the warm blood going to the feet right by the cold blood coming up from the feet so the cold blood can take some of the heat from the warm blood before it goes down- so that's why they don't lose too much heat through the feet. .
But how do they keep their feet warm?
They don't keep a lot of their functioning feet equipment (muscles et al.) in the feet themselves, but in the warmer regions of the body so the feet can get pretty cold and it's still OK. They do keep them above freezing by regulating the flow to them and also by covering them with their upper bodies to insulate them. When all else fails they put on Lo's booties. . .
Someone out there has to know something about penguin's feet and can give you a better answer soon.
Colleen
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Thanks, Colleen [;D]
i must have missed that podcast!
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Or maybe I'm making up that it was a TNS podcast, but I'm sure I've heard that information- just not sure of the source.
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I always wondered about my dogs paws in the winter. Sometimes he wades in the river when its nearly freezing, and I cant believe that it doesnt bother him. Sure the pads are thick, but his feet aren't really well insulated. There's no layer of fat around his ankles.
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I know at times my hands can get awfully cold, to the point where I looks coordination in the fingers. But, as long as they are kept above freezing, there is no real harm done.
Here are is another link similar to what Colleen said above:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nature/article/why-dont-penguins-feet-freeze/
Also, keep in mind that the Penguins are migratory birds. They aren't on Antarctica when it is -70° out. They will be down there in the summer when the temps near the coast would be hovering around freezing (0°C, or 32°F) or even warmer.
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Also, keep in mind that the Penguins are migratory birds. They aren't on Antarctica when it is -70° out. They will be down there in the summer when the temps near the coast would be hovering around freezing (0°C, or 32°F) or even warmer.
I beg to differ Clifford, Emperor Penguins breed in the Antarctic winter.
In addition to their unique heat exchange system, they also rock back on their feet and curl up their toes using a small part of their tail to stand rather like a tripod with as little contact with the frozen surface as possible.
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Penguins are the cute birds. With their black and white appearance and a natural innocence in their outlook they are loved by all the age groups. They are kept in zoos in freezing temperatures, to please the kids. Penguins can only survive in cold a place that is why they are seen only in few cold areas of the world.You can find more about NOSPAMHEREPLEASE here.