Penguins are birds or animals? Familiar question, right? And this is understandable. Each of us either asked this question in childhood, or heard it from our children. Admittedly, not everyone knows the answer. So who are they, these amazing and important handsome penguins? Are these birds? Or animals? Or maybe it's fish?
A bit of history
For the first time, Europeans noticed these amazing creatures in 1499. One of the companions of the famous Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama left a note describing strange birds that looked something like geese, “with a cry reminiscent of donkeys … Fly they couldn’t…” Probably, they too were tormented by the question: “Are penguins birds or animals?”
After 12 years, a similar record was made by a member of the expedition of Magellan, Italian Antonio Pigafetta. He wrote: “Strange geese, holding upright, unable to fly, very fat …” Actually, thanks to their fatness, the birds got their first name. The fact is that "pigvis" in Latin means"fat". The scientific name "spheniscus demersus" (in translation - "a small wedge immersed in water") was given to the birds much later - in 1758. The new name has become a short description, emphasizing both the shape of the birds and their way of life.
If we talk about the very first acquaintance of penguins with people, then it took place, probably, in Australia. It turns out that bones of these birds were found during archaeological excavations at ancient sites. Scientists suggest that the meat of penguins was in the diet of Australian aborigines.
Short description
And yet… Are penguins birds or animals? Any encyclopedia gives a clear answer to this question. Spheniscidae is a family of marine flightless, but good swimming and diving birds.
The only representatives of the penguin order. The family contains 20 subspecies. The body of penguins is streamlined, adapted for movement in the water. Thanks to the muscles and structure of the bones, these birds are excellent swimmers, while the role of propellers that increase speed is performed by the wings. The sternum has well-developed musculature, accounting for about a quarter of the total weight, and a well-defined keel. The femurs are rather short, the knee joints are motionless, the paws are shifted back (the reason for such a strange and funny gait). The feet are large, short, with swimming membranes. The tail is very short, it serves as a support on land. The “steering wheel” when swimming is primarily paws. The color of the penguins is characteristic: a black “coat” and a white tummy.
Whycan't a penguin be called a fish?
This is another frequently asked question: "Is the penguin a bird or a fish?" For some, the question will seem ridiculous, but since it takes place, let's try to figure it out. Indeed, if the penguin feels great underwater, why not call him a fish? Firstly, because in this environment he only hunts. But the penguin lives on land. In the same place he hatches eggs (he does not spawn like fish), brings up offspring. Another important difference is the presence of feathers (very small, tight-fitting, evenly distributed over a thick fatty layer). In addition, penguins are warm-blooded. True, they have their own heat transfer system, special and in a sense unique. Her "motor" is in the wings and paws. The arterial blood entering them gives off heat to the venous (colder), and that, in turn, flows to the body (back). Heat losses are thus minimal.
Food
The basis of the penguin menu is Antarctic silverfish, anchovies, sardines and crustaceans. They eat part of it right under water, the rest - on land. Species that feed mainly on crustaceans have to expend much more energy on prey. To replenish the energy costs for one dive alone, they must catch about two dozen crustaceans. It is much easier for penguins that feed mainly on fish - one successful dive out of ten is enough for them. The duration of the hunt for each species is different and largely depends on the season. For example, imperialpenguins can make over 800 dives. But during the period of molting and waiting for offspring, birds have to refuse food altogether. During this time, about half of the mass is lost. Penguins drink mostly sea water. Special glands located near the eyes remove excess s alt.
Reproduction
Why can't the statement that a penguin is an animal be true? Evidence that this is a bird has already been cited. As a new argument, let's consider the process of reproduction. Let's start with the fact that penguins are not viviparous, they incubate eggs, like all birds. They nest in colonies, tens of thousands of pairs. Both parents, who periodically replace each other, are responsible for incubating the eggs and feeding the babies.
The statement that the penguin is a mammal refutes the method of feeding. The chicks do not feed on milk, but on semi-digested fish and crustaceans, which the parents burp. Babies “dive” into the lower folds of the abdomen in order to hide from the cold, and not for the sake of a portion of milk, as some believe.
The onset of sexual maturity depends on the sex and species of birds. For some, mating is possible at two years (small, subantarctic), for others - a year later (antarctic, imperial, royal), for others - only after five years (golden-haired).
