• Question: Why don't penguins feet freeze?

    Asked by danrumford to Cat, Daz, Holly, Johnson, Pamela on 21 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Pamela Lithgow

      Pamela Lithgow answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Hi Danrumford,
      That is the title to an excellent new scientist book! You should definitely read it I think you would like it.
      Their feet don’t freeze due to a clever mechanism where they control the blood flow to their feet and they use a counterflow system to cool the blood as it goes to their feet and warm the blood as it comes back to their body. This means that their feet at kept at just above freezing whilst still getting oxygen.
      I hope that in part answers your question, but you should get the book!
      Pam 🙂

    • Photo: Cat O'Connor

      Cat O'Connor answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Hi Dan (and Pam),

      I always wanted that book Pam….I shall be putting it on my amazon wish-list!! Another great sort of books for animal facts is one made by the tv show QI. It’s full of bizarre animals facts so I love it!

      Great answer Pam…..I hadn’t a clue!

      Cat

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