LYCOS RETRIEVER 
The Penguins: Water
built 654 days ago
The penguin is an animal that has the capacity to thermo-regulate its own body temperature. It is warm-blooded and can maintain a constant body temperature even in the most extreme conditions. It does this thanks to the oil it secretes to water-proof its feathers (it is able to spread out this oil with its beak and lock in great quantities of air between the oil and the body, which serves as an insulator), thanks to a layer of body fat (which allows it to retain body heat), and ... thanks to a high fat content in its food. The penguin is also able to regulate its body heat by having two different internal temperature levels: its core temperature at the center of its body is warm, while the extremities of its body are nearly as cold as the outside air. The temperature at the extremities is regulated by a system of exchange of heat between the arteries and the veins. The blood coming from the heart heats up the cold blood coming from the feet, which in turns cools down the blood flowing towards the extremities.
Source:
In addition to their fine attire, penguins are well known for their swimming abilities. Using their flippers for propulsion and their feet as a rudder, penguins can swim in excess of 12 mph (20 kph). Through the use of air sacs to protect their lungs, penguins can stay under water for 15 to 20 minutes and dive as deep as 275 feet (900 meters).
Source:
In addition to blubber for insulating warmth, penguins have stiff, tightly packed feathers (up to 70 per sq. in.) that overlap to provide waterproofing. They coat their feathers with oil from a gland near the tail to increase impermeability. Black and white countershading makes them nearly invisible to predators from above and below.
Source:
[W]hile penguins don't have penises, swans have something more similar. Not that it has any bearing on this pathetic excuse for a movie, but just a fun fact to think about next time you visit your local pond to feed the waterfowl.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Water