QUESTION:
How old are penguins when they learn to swim?
        
        From Mrs. Susan Mill's Third Grade Enrichment Class
             Tyrone, Georgia


ANSWER from Steve Downey, Antarctic Expert

Dear Third Graders,

Chicks are typically 6-12 weeks old before they leave the safety of their
parents and their colony.  During this time, they are feed by their
parents until they are large enough to move around on their own.  When this
happens, some types of penguins have nurseries, called creches (French for
crib), in their colonies where baby penguins are cared by juvenile ("teen
age") penguins for while their parents are out feeding during the day.

Thanks for your question!
Steve