Video · 1:03
Why do penguins slide on their bellies?
Penguins slide on their bellies as a secret way to move fast across the ice like a bobsled. This speedy move is called tobogganing. While sliding helps them travel, life in cold and windy Antarctica remains tough.
Watch on YouTube ↗Key facts
- Penguins drop onto their bellies to slide across the ice like a bobsled, which is called tobogganing.
- Emperor penguin fathers keep their eggs warm on top of their feet while mothers hunt in the ocean.
- To stay warm in freezing winds, penguins huddle in a giant group and take turns standing in the middle.
- Penguins use their flippers like wings to fly through the water at up to 35 kilometres an hour.
Questions people also ask
What is penguin belly sliding called?
Dropping onto their tummies and sliding across the ice like a bobsled is called tobogganing.
How do emperor penguins protect their eggs?
The father keeps the egg warm on top of his feet while the mother heads out into the freezing ocean to hunt.
How fast can penguins swim?
The fastest penguins can reach 35 kilometres an hour, which is four times faster than Olympic swimmers.
What the video says
Penguins have a secret way to move fast. They drop onto their tummies. Then they slide across the ice like a bobsled!
This fun move is called tobogganing. But life on the ice is tough. Emperor penguin dads do the ultimate babysitting.
The dad keeps the egg warm on top of his feet. Meanwhile, the mom goes out into the freezing ocean to hunt.
Antarctica gets super windy and cold. The penguins huddle close together in a giant group. They take turns standing in the warm middle.
Penguins cannot fly in the air. But they use their flippers like wings. They fly through the freezing water instead! The fastest reach 35 kilometres an hour, four times faster than Olympic swimmers!
