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Penguins cannot fly in the air, but it could be said that, in a way, they use their wings to fly underwater. Their small wings, whh are useless for air flight, are much more useful underwater because they have lower drag and greater agility. Their wing bones are fused straight, rather than angled like a flying bird's, and this has the effect of making the wing rigid and powerful, like a flipper. The small wings and a streamlined body shape are ideal for diving in water.

Unlike the majority of other birds, penguins do not have hollow bones, so are much heavier and harder to support with their small wings. The solid, as opposed to hollow, bones act as ballast to help them dive. Also, being solid, they are less prone to breakage from the stresses of swimming.

Penguins also have higher levels of myoglobin and feathers optimized for the aquatic environment. Myoglobin is the main way penguins store oxygen during their long dives. Another benefit is that penguins are able to optimize their feathers for the aquatic environment. Penguin feathers are short and tight to keep water away from the skin and to create a smooth surface to lower drag. Flying birds have very different feathers that are fluffy to trap air for insulation.

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8y ago

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