Scientists from the Antarctic station Akademik Vernadsky have released a funny video of penguin races, which proves that these birds can be surprisingly fast if they are in a hurry, the National Antarctic Research Center reports.
“This video is for those who still doubt that penguins are surprisingly fast creatures and should not be turned over. If these birds really need to get somewhere, then their leisurelyness and carelessness disappear,” the Ukrainian polar explorers said in a statement.
The footage shows three subantarctic penguins racing past the station at incredible speed. The polar explorers joke: “This trio must have had extremely important matters to attend to. Is it krill again on sale, or a truckload with pebbles came from a neighboring island?”
Experts remind us that despite their reputation for being clumsy on land, penguins are extremely agile in the water. Subantarctic species, in particular those living near the Vernadsky Station, are capable of speeds of up to 36 km/h, moving through the water like torpedoes. And on land, when they "surf" on their bellies, they can "accelerate" to 3-6 km/h.
“Why do these birds often seem clumsy on land? It's simple: they save energy,” the scientists explain.
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