What keeps Penquins from freezing ?Is their metabolic rate extremely high ?

Answer 1

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To answer the first part of your question:
Penguins are fat !
Fat has two main purposes in the body: it is a good insulator against cold and it is a reserve of energy. When the emperor penguins arrive in autumn to stay the winter in Antarctica without eating, about half of their bodyweight is made of a 4cm thick layer of fat which they will use to withstand the long cold nights.
But most of the thermal insulation is in reality provided by their feathers: the outer layer of hard feathers act as a wind-breaker, while the underlayer of down provides excellent thermal insulation.
Their short and stocky body shape also minimizes thermal loss: short legs, feet hidden under the body, short neck, flippers flat against the body...
The structure of the penguin feathers gives them an increased protection against cold: an outer layer of long hard smooth feathers streamlined for fast swimming (that also probably protects them from the wind); underneath is a layer of short fluffy down feathers providing better insulation by trapping air.
Penguin chicks have very warm down feathers around their body, being small they seek protection under the belly of a parent. Down feathers are not waterproof. Chicks will die from the cold if they fall in water or mud. Once bigger chicks are more independent and stay in groups called crèche.
As a general rule: the colder the area they live in, the bigger the penguin (you retain heat better when the volume/surface ratio increases).

During the period of looking after eggs, in order to minimize heat loss, the males gather together in 'turtles' that can be as dense as 10 individuals/m² during storms.
(If you have watched the movie Happy Feet, you will see this beautifully. :-) )

Answer 2

Part of their adaptation to the cold includes oily, unwettable feathers which cover the outer layers of penguins (and what gives that distinguished, well dressed look). Underneath is a layer of soft down feathers and under that a thick layer of fat. This keeps the penguins so warm they will actually fluff their feather to released trapped heat in order to cool down.

Answer 3

Freezy Freakys

Answer 4

Their Happy Feet

Answer 5

they have lotsa fat, and their fur/feathers are very wind/water resistant, and act as a buffer zone for the cold. They also tend to huddle up in packs, staying warm.