QUESTION:
Do baby penguins like the cold weather?

        From Mrs. Susan Mill's Third Grade Enrichment Class
             Tyrone, Georgia

ANSWER from Steve Downey, Antarctic Expert
            Fri, 7 Feb 1997 09:07:55 -0500


Dear Third Graders,

They're not crazy about it.
Although most penguins are born with a layer of feathers (King penguins are
born naked), new born penguins can only survive if their one of their parents
is there to keep them warm.  As they grow during the first few weeks of
their lives, penguin chicks develop warmer, waterproof feathers and a layer
of fat to help protect them from the cold.  Even with this extra
protection, cold weather is one of the leading killers of penguin chicks.

Thanks for your question!
Steve