Comments on: Penguin Team Member: Monty

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:20:24 +0000

LOL, I found a funny paper on avian fluid dynamics…
http://www.meyer-rochow.com/penguin.pdf
Enjoy!

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:17:44 +0000

Hi! Many thanks for your answers!
Greetz from Austria, Dave

By: pschaller

pschaller — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:38:52 +0000

Hi Susan, penguin feathers are very stiff, short and have a seperate shaft of downy filaments which forms an additional insulative layer. They are rigid to trap a thick layer of air next to the skin. In water they compress to form a thin water-tight barrier. Oily waterproofing is important in the insulation and is performed by the penguins daily. A sub-dermal layer of fat is seen in Antarctic species that can be an inch thick, but is rarely that thick in an African penguin. African penguins are very bouyant, due to air in the lungs, air sacs and feathers. This allows them to rest while in the water keeping their head above water without swimming.-Pamela Schaller

By: pschaller

pschaller — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:24:37 +0000

Hi Garrett, African penguins average 2.1-3.9 mph over a complete foraging trip (hunting, swimming, diving, etc.). They can reach speeds of 6.3-9.1 mph over shorter distances.-Pamela Schaller

By: pschaller

pschaller — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:17:13 +0000

Hi Dave, Some penguin eye references include Howland, H.C.and Sivak J.G. (1984). Penguin Vision in Air and Water, Vision Research, 24, 1905-9. Sivak, J.G. (1976). The role of a flat cornea in the amphibious behaviour of the blackfoot penguin (Spheniscus demersus). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 54, 1341-5. Sivak, J.G. et al (1987) Vision of the humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) in air and water. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B, 229, 467-72. Part 2 of your question regarding breeding; we participate in the African Penguin Species Survival Plan with 45 other institutions. We have a masterplan meeting every 2 years to evaluate: percent inbreeding coefficient and lowest mean kinship. We recommend pairs to breed for the most varied gene pool possible. If a couple is highly represented in the gene pool then they are given plastic eggs (about the same size and weight of their real eggs). We continue to encourage them to nest and sometimes incorporate them as surrogate parents if a more valuable genetic pair needs assistance rearing offspring.-Pamela Schaller