Penguins

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Penguins are flightless birds!

The reason penguins can't fly is that they are excellent swimmers. Most birds use their wings to fly, but penguins use them for swimming.

Because penguins use their wings for swimming, you can call their wings flippers instead. They are made for swimming, not flying.

• Do you know why penguins are strong swimmers?

Read on to find out.

Penguins spend a lot of their time in the water. While they are in the water, they search for food. They only eat food that comes from the ocean.

They are carnivores (meat eaters). Their favorite foods are fish and squid.

Most penguins swim and hunt in groups. They can stay underwater for up to fifteen minutes.

Some penguins are so skilled at hunting that they can catch over thirty fish each time they go underwater!

Penguins can be found in many different places around the world.

There are no penguins in the North Pole. You can find penguins living in the Southern Hemisphere in places like New Zealand, Australia, and Antarctica.

Only two types of penguins live in Antarctica. Emperor penguins and adelie penguins can be found living in Antarctica.

Many penguins are black and white.

• Do you know why?

Penguins are black and white because it helps them blend in with their surroundings. This is called camoflage.

When a penguin is swimming in the water, predators cannot see them from above because their black feathers blend in with the dark ocean waters. Their bellies are white because it helps them blend in with the sky when they are looked at from below while swimming.

You learned some cool facts about penguins.

Say out loud at least three things you learned about penguins.

Then, move on to the Got It? section to see how penguins swim and hunt.