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[mantahatch]

I have just read this http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/21669963 and my first thought is utter rubbish. Second thought would be why would they do it.
Or do they have some strange bodily function that allow them to do this.

[feeutfo]

I rekon my "thermal dynamics" have increased greatly since last night.

They where actually prety good before hand.

[the alarming man]

is it a case of hot on the way in...hot on the way out

[mantahatch]

Discussing it here someone suggested that coming out of the water, the water would be warmer than the ice and air temperature so maybe something in the body cools this quickly. But in my book that would suggest there is a predator that hunts by heat maybe.

[mantahatch]

And this has nothing to do with curry, thread hijacker 

[ozzycat]

there feathers keep the warmth next to the skin instead of it escaping

[mantahatch]

there feathers keep the warmth next to the skin instead of it escaping

Yes, but the feathers are colder than the surrounding air. I did not think it was possible. Unless of course I have completely misread it. Would not be the first time 

[the alarming man]

pengins like ducks have watertight skin...keeps water out and heat in

[Kevin Wood]

Penguins presumably perspire and also go for a dip on a regular basis. In a cold, dry climate the water held by their feathers will evaporate, losing the latent heat that water absorbs while doing so, and dragging their surface temperature down further. The fact that this is noticeable is probably down to their very good insulation.

[cem_devecioglu]

actual name is thermodynamics..  and yes if you use a pump and compress air you can heat a room to 25 celcius by the air which is -20 outside
 
ps: yes I know its not related to penguins..

[feeutfo]

Penguins presumably perspire and also go for a dip on a regular basis. In a cold, dry climate the water held by their feathers will evaporate, losing the latent heat that water absorbs while doing so, and dragging their surface temperature down further. The fact that this is noticeable is probably down to their very good insulation.

Like I said...

[feeutfo]

Ie FAT

[ozzycat]

Ie FAT

you need to go on a diet then chris

[Rods2]

Thick layer of fat, very good insulating down feathers and water evaporation from the outer surface of the secondary feathers reducing the temperature further would be my explanation.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Bulleid's Merchant Navy and West Country Pacific locomotives used thermal syphons in their steel fireboxes to increase the evaporative area in and improve circulation in the boiler.

No idea if that is anything to do with what the penguins are doing, but I thought I would just throw in as an interesting parallel (?)