QUESTION:
Could a penguin live in the Arctic?

         Sincerely,
                Miss Haggerty's fourth grade class
                Brunswick,ME 04011


ANSWER from Steve Emslie, Researcher 
            Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Fri, 21 Mar 1997 15:17:29 -0500

Hello Miss Haggerty's Fourth Grade Class,

Yes, the morphology and physiology of the penguin allow it to be
well adapted to a cold environment, whether it's the Arctic or 
Antarctic.  In fact, thereonce was a flightless bird in the north 
Atlantic, the Great Auk, that was very similar to a penguin in size 
and features.  However, because penguins have specific adaptations 
for the southern ocean, simply moving some up to the Arctic today 
probably would not work and they would die.  Among other things, 
they would have to compete with existing seabirds in the Arctic 
that already are well adapted to obtaining prey in that environment.

Steve Emslie