How Penguins Drink Saltwater and Sneezes Out the Salt
For those in a hurry
- Penguins can drink saltwater because they have a special gland that filters out the salt and sneezes it out.
- The gland is located above their eyes and produces a salty fluid that drips from their nostrils.
- Penguins also drink fresh water from pools, snowmelt, or snow when available.
- Drinking saltwater helps penguins survive in harsh environments where fresh water is scarce.
The amazing salt gland of penguins
Penguins are amazing birds that live in some of the coldest and driest places on Earth. They spend most of their time in the ocean, hunting for fish, squid, and krill. But how do they stay hydrated when there is no fresh water around?
The answer is that they can drink saltwater without getting dehydrated or sick. Unlike humans, penguins do not react negatively to salt. They have a special organ called the supraorbital gland that filters excess salt from their bloodstream.
The supraorbital gland is located above their eyes and produces a densely salty fluid that excretes from their nostrils. The fluid runs down grooves in their bill and forms drops at the tip. They frequently shake their heads to get rid of the salt, or they sneeze it out.
How penguins prefer fresh water
Even though penguins can drink saltwater, they still prefer fresh water when possible. They usually drink from fresh water sources such as pools and snowmelt, or they eat fresh snow, in order to get an adequate amount of water.
Drinking fresh water helps them maintain their body temperature and metabolism. It also reduces the workload of their salt gland and kidneys, which have to work harder to remove salt from their body.
Drinking saltwater is a survival strategy for penguins that live in harsh environments where fresh water is scarce. It allows them to stay hydrated and healthy while spending long periods in the ocean.
Conclusion
Penguins are remarkable birds that have adapted to live in extreme conditions. They can drink saltwater because they have a special gland that filters out the salt and sneezes it out. They also drink fresh water from pools, snowmelt, or snow when available. Drinking saltwater helps them survive in the ocean, but drinking fresh water helps them thrive.
