Not only do penguins stagger, but short-legged waterfowl also walk like this. Such as ducks and mandarin ducks. They are obese and suitable for swimming in water, but their body structure is not suitable for walking on land: their feet are too short and their walking efficiency is too poor. Those birds with long feet don't stagger because they walk efficiently. Such as cranes, herons and other wading birds. They have long legs that make them proud.
What are the advantages of stumbling? Can improve the body center of gravity and improve walking efficiency. When the body shakes, the center of gravity will increase and the walking efficiency will increase accordingly. Their center of gravity is already very low and they are not afraid of losing it. Birds with long legs can't walk steadily and lose their center of gravity. Staggered walking can also improve energy utilization efficiency. The penguin's body is too big for its legs. Penguins can use the energy generated by body shaking to reduce energy consumption.
Physiologically, American scientists are studying the movement and balance mechanism of penguins, hoping to help the elderly who have difficulty walking. Researchers at the University of Houston in the United States say that penguins can keep their balance gracefully and overcome their weight and short legs with a skill that humans don't understand. The larger emperor penguin has become the research object of researchers.
Living environment Penguins sometimes inhabit land, ice fields and sea ice, but they belong to marine birds. In a penguin's life, the time spent living in the ocean and land accounts for about half. Penguins can't fly, but they can swim Walking on land, clumsy, feet on the ground, upright, balanced by tail and wings. In case of emergency, you can quickly lie down, spread your wings and crawl on the ice and snow; Sometimes you can use your tail and wings to control your direction and slide quickly on cold cliffs and slopes. Adult penguins swim at an amazing speed, 20-30 kilometers per hour.