if penguins feets dont freeze then does that mean ducks and other birds feet dont either ??????

Question

i no its a stupid question but i am being curious because as we all no they all have the same sort of feet

Answer 1

Different birds different ways of coping with cold. Yes bird feet can freeze, for species which aren't adapted to handle the cold, take mourning doves for example, in their most northern range many of them are missing toes some even have just a stump left due to frostbite. But most birds that stay in cold areas have ways to prevent that kind of thing from happening. Many aquatic birds (ducks,gulls etc) have what is known as a counter current heat exchange system. This means that the warm blood flowing into the leg warms up the cold blood going back into the body, therefore there is very little heat loss, the birds are able to regulate blood flow so that the legs never actually freeze. They don't just stop circulation and let their legs reach the same temperature as the ice... that would cause frostbite... Birds also have very little muscle on the exposed parts of their feet (controlled by tendons) and the parts that are more prone to frost damage are closer to the body and covered with feathers. If it's very cold birds can also fluff up their feathers which creates an insulating layer of air and bring their up , essentially protecting them from the cold. There are plenty of other adaptation, ex: some birds basically bury themselves in the snow, high metabolic rate (produces heat), finding sheltered areas etc. Most birds that can't take the cold to well simply migrate to warmer areas for the winter.

Answer 2

Penguins are in a position to regulate the flow of blood to their feet. In chilly climate the flow is decreased and the temperature of the feet is held only a level or 2 above freezing to steer away from frost chew and shrink warmth loss. the 2d mechanism takes this variety of 'counter present day warmth exchangers' on the precise of the legs. The arteries, which furnish heat blood and oxygen to the penguin's feet harm up into many small vessels that are heavily proper to comparable numbers of venous vessels bringing chilly blood lower back from the feet. So, while warmth is misplaced from the arterial vessels, the venous vessels working in the different direction p.c.. it up and carry it lower back for the time of the physique, incredibly than out for the time of the feet. this suggests that for the period of the very distant areas of the floor, cells get oxygen yet warmth isn't misplaced by this epidermis.

Answer 3

ducks often roost on ice ie frozen lakes or rivers to avoid predators their feet dont freeze because they have a valve in there feet which stops their blood flowing into the foot and lets there feet keep a simular temp as the ice. this also comes in handy as it stops them wasting heat and melting the ice and falling through clever eh dont think all birds do just birds that need it ducks geese swans gulls etc i think webbed feet help

Answer 4

That's a good question, but I don't know the answer. I do know that ducks can swim on cold water because they have very fatty tummies which will insulate them, but why their feet don't freeze is a mystery.

Answer 5

no cause penguins get used to the cold ducks feet would probably freeze.

Answer 6

No, because ducks and other birds don't live in the arctic.

Answer 7

yes you are correct their feet do not freeze.

Answer 8

no