The colouration may not make as much sense on land, when they are waddling about, but in the sea as they 'fly' through the water in search of fish and squid and other yummies, it is actually a highly effective form of camouflage.
Called counter-shading, it makes them pale from below, blending into the brighter background of the surface, and dark from above, blending into the stygian blackness of the abyssal depths.
A lesser form of counter-shading is common in many terrestrial critters as well, where belly fur is often paler than the pelage on the dorsal surface. Dogs, kitties, even squirrels and bunnies often show this same pattern.
In the watery environs of a pelagic predator, it is even more effective due to the greater degree of contrast in the environment, and the lack of effective cover in which to hide.
Counter-shading can be seen in critters like sharks, dolphins, swordfish, and tuna.
Here's a picture of a tuna showing counter-shading http://www.panamafishingandcatching.com/tuna/preultimo-tuna-tunalarge.jpg
And one of a shark http://na.nefsc.noaa.gov/sharks/img/27.jpg
Probably the best examples of counter-shading would be the orca (aka killer whale), and the manta ray. Like penguins, they are very distinctly black on the back and white underneath.
Manta ray http://www.no-pest.com/MantaRay.jpg
Orca http://orca-voyance.auraciel.com/orque2a.jpg
2006-11-21 05:16:48
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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They are black and white for camouflage. When a predator is in the water, and the penguins are too, and the predator looks up, the penguins white bellies blend in with the light from above. As for their black everything else, it is camouflage for when there predators are looking down at them underwater. They blend in with darkness of the bottom.
2006-11-21 17:58:37
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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Why are some humans either black or white? Its the way that God and nature intended them to be! Though it is not insignificant. Being in the artic, Black would surely help to absorb sunlight and help keep the penguin warm.
2006-11-21 11:53:02
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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why anything? that's ust the chemicals in their skin reacting with light show show us black and white. it's just like a yellow flower contains chemicals that makes us see it as yellow when we look at it. that's just life!
2006-11-21 11:46:46
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answer #4
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answered by jimi 4
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Its all about a ceremonious fighting ritual they have bi-annually against 'bare knuckled fighting humans'
2006-11-21 17:28:36
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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Dammit! Haysoos beat me to it!! I knew this one too.... he deserves the 10 points though.
2006-11-21 16:05:19
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answer #6
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answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7
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to get to the other side
2006-11-21 11:46:09
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answer #7
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answered by pe l 1
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