Long Beach Photos
Penguin Dives in Aquarium of Pacific Habitat
Photo: Aquarium of the Pacific Penguin Habitat Using Wings
An adaptation to the swimming lifestyle can be seen in the wings of penguins, which are stiff and serve as flippers to propel them through the water. At Long Beach's Aquarium of the Pacific Penguin Habitat you can watch the penguins in action, using their flippers to propel and steer. They wings are also helpful in regulating body temperature when out of the water. The stiffness is a result of the bones being flatter and broader than in other birds with the elbow and wrist joints being nearly completely fused. What a fascinating creature to see! It is one of nature's most unique birds.