QUESTION:
Why do penquins have orange around their necks?

        Drew B., J.J. Fray Elementary School
        Lori Darter's First Grade Class
        Restburg, Virginia

ANSWER from Lori Ross, Researcher on Carol Vleck's Team
            Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Fri, 14 Feb 1997 16:59:46 -0500

Dear Drew,

Not all penguins have orange around their necks.  You must be 
referring to either the King penguin or the Emperor penguins which do 
have orange markings on their necks.  There are 17 different species 
or kinds of penguins and they all look different.  For instance, 
Adelie penguins have all black heads whereas chinstrap penguins 
have white chins with a black line under it.  All of the individuals 
in one kind look essentially alike and this is one way that the 
penguins can recognize members of their own species.  There are also 
different behaviours that separate penguins species and each penguin 
species has a distinct sound.  A penguin uses all of these cues to 
recognize and mate with a member of its own species.

Thanks for your question!

Lori Ross