Goosebumps

Posted by Ben Hunt on February 22, 2005

Q: This sin't a question; it's a comment about another question. Someone asked about "hairy" penguins, and you wondered if the captive environment caused the feathers to look like hair. I would add the possibility that the penguins were going through their annual molt, during which patches of the penguin's body slough feathers at different rates, often producing a strangely unkempt-looking penguin.

A: Ben

Thanks for your input. You're right, I remember now that I had also seen some that were in molt and looked quite strange. I appreciate the reminder as I'd completely forgotten this until you mentioned it.

John Wiessinger ( February 23, 2005)

Filed under: Ecology