Mid-Week Mini: Penguins Can Jump Nine Feet Into the Air
In this week’s Mid-Week Mini Episode, we talk about how high penguins can jump.
You probably picture penguins sliding on their bellies or hopping clumsily over snow, right? But some species, like the gentoo penguin, can actually leap out of the water up to nine feet straight into the air. This isn’t just for show—they do it to clear obstacles like icebergs or rocks, or to make a dramatic entrance onto land. Scientists call it “porpoising,” similar to how dolphins leap gracefully through the waves.
This incredible jump is all about speed and technique. Penguins build up momentum underwater, then push off with their strong legs and flippers at just the right angle. It’s basically a rocket-powered pop out of the water. And unlike most birds, they don’t flap to fly—they use their wings like flippers to navigate both in water and air.
That cute little waddle on land hides the body of an Olympic high jumper. And it’s not just fun to watch—these jumps are critical for survival in their harsh, icy homes.
So, the next time someone tells you penguins can’t fly, you can nod and say, “Sure, they can’t fly through the sky—but they can leap nine feet into it.”
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