Spheniscidae Life History Penguins (Aves, Sphenisciformes, Spheniscidae) are a family of seabirds that have evolved to swim and have lost the ability to fly about 60 million years ago (Williams 1995). Adapted to life underwater, penguins have developed strong hard flippers, with fused bones for fast propulsion when swimming. Their feathers are more abundant, dense, and miniaturized compared to other birds. These feathers are hard and stiff with a flattened shaft that overlaps, to provide insulation and waterproofing. Penguins have heavy, solid bones, as they lost the pneumatization of their bones, which was developed by flying birds to keep as light as possible and would be a disadvantage for penguins, increasing their buoyancy. All
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