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Penguins: Popularity, peril and poop - Dyan deNapoli

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Penguins are odd birds. For one, they cannot fly (but they are amazing swimmers), and, contrary to popular belief, the majority of penguin populations live in warmer regions. But these beloved birds are in danger, with populations declining up to 90%. Dyan deNapoli explains the reasons behind the decline -- and why penguins are like the proverbial canary in the coal mine of our oceans.

Penguins evolved from birds of flight approximately 60 million years ago. What adaptations and physical changes did penguins make over the millennia to become such specialized seabirds, and to be the champion swimmers and divers that we see today? How do penguins hold their breath for so long (from 3 to 27 minutes, depending on the species), and how can they dive to such great depths (from hundreds of feet to 1,800 feet, depending on the species) without having to fight the effects of buoyancy?

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Dyan deNapoli
  • Producer Zedem Media
  • Director Michael Kalopaidis
  • Artist Dinos Hadjidemetri
  • Animator Maria Savva
  • Sound Designer Manolis Manoli
  • Narrator Dyan deNapoli

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