fur or feathers
Posted by Cindy King on January 16, 2006
Q: While watching "March of the Penquins" we all wondered if the dense covering on the penquins was fur or feathers. Also, how tall and how much do they weight? (Emperor Penquins)
Thanks you
A: It's easy to see why you weren't sure whether penguins had feathers or fur. But, all birds, and only birds, have feathers. Penguins are birds, therefore, penguins have feathers. Their feathers are not in distinct tracts over their bodies but grow on all parts of their bodies. These short, extremely thick concentrations of feathers provide excellent insulation from the elements and keep their skin dry even when they're in the water. Emperor Penguins reach about 48 inches in height but I haven't been able to get a weight for these birds. Thanks for asking a question I'm sure many people have wondered about. Hope this helps.
John Wiessinger ( January 17, 2006)