From extreme heat to cold: scientists reveal whether penguins can sweat.

When it comes to penguins, images of Antarctica with its icy and snowy landscapes often come to mind. However, these marine birds are actually capable of enduring not only extreme cold but also heat. At least some species can, as reported by IFLScience.

Science recognizes 18 species, all of which inhabit the Southern Hemisphere. The range of these marine birds is often associated with extreme cold, which is certainly true for the eight largest penguin species in Antarctica. Previously, scientists have observed how emperor penguins huddle together to protect themselves from the biting cold. But there are several species of penguins that live in temperate zones, and one even resides near the equator.

For instance, the Galapagos penguin is the northernmost species, capable of withstanding temperatures above 29°C. How do they manage to endure such high temperatures, and do they sweat?

According to researchers, like any other bird in the world, penguins do not need to sweat to cool down on particularly hot days. According to the Bird Alliance of Oregon, birds have evolved to regulate their body temperature through heavy breathing rather than sweating, and the same is true for penguins.

Researchers found that these marine birds cool down by standing with their flippers extended and panting, similar to dogs. Even more interestingly, this is not the only adaptation that penguins have developed to maintain a healthy body temperature.

These marine birds have tightly packed and interwoven feathers that help them retain heat while spending extensive time in the ocean. At the same time, Galapagos penguins have bare patches that aid in heat dissipation. They also stand with their flippers out to enjoy the sea breeze and lean over to protect their leg skin from sun exposure.

Penguins also possess a supraorbital gland that excretes salt, an adaptation that allows them to survive without access to fresh water. Unfortunately, this adaptation does not help them lower their body temperature. Interestingly, a similar adaptation has been found in marine iguanas, which sneeze to expel excess salt several times a day.

Interesting Fact About Penguins

It is well-known that a chicken egg changes color during boiling: the yolk remains yellow while the white transitions from translucent to white. However, if you boil a penguin egg, nothing similar occurs: the white remains translucent, creating an unusual-looking egg.

The magic trick lies in the ratio of glycoproteins contained in them. While chicken eggs are primarily rich in ovalbumin, penguin eggs contain 25 percent penaeidin, which helps them survive in the low temperatures of their region.