Ukrainian polar explorers disprove 5 most common myths about penguins: test yourself

On the occasion of Penguin Awareness Day, which is celebrated on January 20, Ukrainian polar explorers have disproved 5 most common myths about these birds. It turns out that these cute creatures live not only in the Antarctic.

In a post on the National Antarctic Research Center's Facebook page, researchers from the "Akademik Vernadsky" Polar Station said that all penguins are "sweet and gentle." When they are in danger, they can defend themselves.

Myth 1 – all penguins live in the Antarctic

Penguins live throughout the Southern Hemisphere, including in warm climates. There are 18 species of these birds in total, and only 5 of them are inhabitants of the Antarctic, scientists say.

Myth 2 – polar explorers turn penguins over because they can't get up on their own

"Penguins are extremely agile creatures, although on land they seem to be a bit lumbering. For example, subarctic species can accelerate up to 36 kilometers per hour in the water, hunting for prey or escaping from predators," the Ukrainian polar explorers noted.

And on land, when these birds need to get somewhere quickly, they lie down on their tummies and glide, helping themselves with their legs, biologists explain. Therefore, scientists ensure that penguins do not need human help either in water or on land.

This myth appeared after a polar explorer joked in an interview that when an airplane flies in the sky, penguins raise their heads and fall on their backs, and then they can't get up. So biologists have to constantly walk around and turn these animals over. But it was, of course, a joke, the "Vernadsky" researchers emphasize.

Myth 3 – A real penguin has a black back, white belly, and yellow-orange coloration under the neck and on the cheeks

Scientists refute this statement because different penguins have different colors. Black and white with orange inserts are emperor and king penguins that live in the Antarctic, but not in the area of the Akademik Vernadsky station.

Three species of penguins live near the Ukrainian researchers: Adelie, sub-Antarctic, and Antarctic.

Myth 4 – in the Antarctic, all penguins warm their eggs and chicks on their paws

Ukrainian polar explorers say that only emperor and king penguins do this, while those living in the "Vernadsky" area build nests in which they incubate and care for their young.

Myth 5 – all penguins are cute and gentle

Their mimetic appearance makes penguins seem gentle and kind. "They can be surprisingly aggressive, for example, when they are in danger or during the mating season," Ukrainian researchers emphasize.

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