QUESTION:
How do they (Adelie penguins) stop the blood circulation in their feet?

Third Graders / Ellen Morton, Media Specialist
        Susan Mills, Enrichment Teacher
        Burch Elementary School
        Tyrone, Georgia
        
        
ANSWER from David Lott, Research Assistant, Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Fri, 14 Feb 1997 14:59:59 -0500

Dear Third Graders and Ms. Morton and Ms. Mills,

The arteries that carry blood to the penguins' feet have muscles 
associated with them.  This allows for constriction of these vessels. 
For instance, if you had a garden hose with water coming out the end 
of it, what do you think might happen if you were to squeeze the 
hose.  Yes, less water would come out.  This is very much like what 
happens with the small arteries that carry blood to their feet.  With 
less blood reaching the feet, due to muscle constriction, less heat 
is lost.

Thanks for your question!

David