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Odd Bird Bodies With its feathers hooked, a penguin jumps into the sea. It chases fish. It dives for squid. It races away from predators like leopard seals and orcas. A penguin’s body is built to swim and dive.


COLOR helps a penguin hide in the water. Its white belly blends in with the bright surface. Its black back blends in with the dark sea.


WINGS are small, stiff, and fl at. They act like fl ippers as a penguin swims. They help a penguin balance as it walks upright.


In fact, it’s shaped more like a fish than a bird. It’s narrow at the head and toes, and wider in the middle. Water easily flows up and over this shape. It doesn’t drag, or pull, on a penguin. It doesn’t slow a penguin down. Body shape isn’t the only trait that helps a


penguin swim. It flaps its stiff wings to pull itself through the water. It uses its stubby legs to steer. Even its bones help a penguin in the water. T ey aren’t hollow and light like most birds’ bones. T ey’re solid and heavy. A penguin uses this extra weight to dive deep. All penguins share these traits. Yet not all


penguins are alike. Some species have unique behaviors and body parts. It all depends on where they live.


A penguin swims through the water. It has many adaptations that help it swim.


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