Penguins Wear Shield of Cold Air to Survive Low Temperatures

A latest study suggests that emperor penguins, which exhibit serial monogamy, have a unique technique to beat the extremely low temperatures of Antarctica and survive the cold climate.

According to the study conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Glasgow, emperor penguins wear an invisible shield of cold air that prevents the loss of heat from the body, thereby allowing them to survive the sub-zero temperature of Antarctica, reports LiveScience.

Scientists Dominic McCafferty of the University of Glasgow along with his team members explains that most birds are able to resist the flow of heat with the help of their plumage. The outer surface of the plumage is below the temperature of the surrounding air. But sometimes the outer surface of the body is colder than the surrounding temperature of sub-zero air. At this time, the plumage surface gains heat from the surrounding air, reports LiveScience.

In this study, scientists examined thermographic images of 40 penguins taken at a coastal Emperor breeding colony in Adelie Land that were snapped during June 2008. The average temperature was reported to be 0.32 degrees Fahrenheit.

With the help of computer simulations, the scientists calculated the amount of heat gained or lost from each part of the penguin's body. They noticed that by keeping the outer surface below air temperature, they gained some heat from the surrounding air. Through thermal radiation, they lose internal body heat to the surrounding air and with the help of thermal convection they gain heat from the surroundings.

The penguins' eyes, beaks and feet are warmer than the air surrounding them. The eye is the only part of the body that is warmer than freezing. The thermal images clearly show that the outer surface of the penguin is 4-6 degrees Celsius cooler than the surrounding air.