Biol Lett June 2013 PMID 23466479

Emperor penguin body surfaces cool below air temperature.

D J McCafferty, C Gilbert, A-M Thierry, J Currie, Y Le Maho, A Ancel

Mentions

18
Peak: 3 in Aug 2021
across 4 sources since Mar 2013

Extended reach

5,057,326
potential audience

Total likes

18,229

Video views

1,191,762

Mentions per month

Mar 2013 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter13 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • News2 articles
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The conversations demonstrate high interest through sharing videos and links to the original research, with comments noting how penguins maintain warmth despite cold surfaces, such as references to their insulation and body temperature differences. The tone varies from curiosity to educational, emphasizing the importance of understanding these biological and physical phenomena.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and appreciate the research's findings about penguin thermoregulation, indicating general agreement.

InterestHigh interest

Participants display high curiosity, sharing links, and commenting on the unique thermal properties of penguins, reflecting strong interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts include references to scientific concepts, personal observations, and sharing additional resources, showing moderate engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight the significance of understanding animal adaptations and technological imagery, hinting at moderate impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Emperor penguins survive the harsh Antarctic environment through special anatomical, physiological, and behavioral traits that reduce heat loss.
  • Thermal imaging research shows that their body surfaces tend to be cooler than the surrounding air due to radiative cooling, especially under clear sky conditions.
  • The low thermal conductivity of their feathers limits heat transfer to the skin, helping them maintain warmth; future studies could provide even more understanding of their cold-climate adaptations.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Richard Brock
@RBrockPhysics · X

Read more here: https://t.co/95lLVI2JZZ And here: https://t.co/mrQ2kGnLOr

Aug 12, 2021 · 6 likes · 1 share · 1,273 followers View post →
Eliphaleth Carmona
@Eliphaleth · X

@KsepkaLab @NZfauna Found the original source: https://t.co/bIUVNsxVfL

Aug 17, 2021 · 1 like · 1,343 followers View post →
Andy Spark
@AndySpark25 · X

@anilkumb So many happy feet https://t.co/FRGkzvwsnA

May 4, 2024 · 1 like · 131 followers View post →
Massimo
@Rainmaker1973 · X

@_coxofemoral_ The original paper is fully avaialable here: https://t.co/0M326FVpMe

Jan 2, 2022 · 3,793,853 followers View post →
Mick West
@MickWest · X

@Linkchadlad @AlxndrSmith @markocheese Take penguins, for example. Evolved to exist in very cold conditions, their outer feathers are as cold as the air, sometimes colder. Yet their blood is warm, and they survive. https://t.co/59vyheZ1Mn https://t.co/g7Tfmx5f7m

Aug 7, 2022 · 45,559 followers View post →
Dr Dan Jones
@Hookean1 · X

RT @RBrockPhysics: Read more here: https://t.co/95lLVI2JZZ And here: https://t.co/mrQ2kGnLOr

Aug 12, 2021 · 1 share · 20,402 followers View post →

All mentions

はと
@nan10kasuru · X

https://t.co/HQMnZ6e7k9

Jul 31, 2025 · 44 followers View post →
Alfredo
@AlfredoSkull · X

@AndrewLivingst2 @logicbot3000 Sure, here a video about it. https://t.co/VNb1b0Sya3

Nov 23, 2024 · 72 followers View post →
Andy Spark
@AndySpark25 · X

@anilkumb So many happy feet https://t.co/FRGkzvwsnA

May 4, 2024 · 1 like · 131 followers View post →
ᯅ
@teel0ck · X

The Insane Biology of: The Emperor Penguin https://t.co/ZmFOye1boe via @YouTube

Mar 8, 2024 · 784 followers View post →
Colonel Innomen • The First Sourcerer
@Innomen · X

The Insane Biology of: The Emperor Penguin - YouTube https://t.co/QuHBpYx5fR https://t.co/ymQ7y0PAqD

Jan 31, 2024 · 1,482 followers View post →
kodiakbear
@kodiakbear1969 · X

Real Science https://t.co/1eHYTULAUg

Jan 31, 2024 · 91 followers View post →
Kyle Ferriter
@kyle_ferriter · X

@DaveFalch I don't look at infrared images of birds often, but they are out there. Here some of penguins where their internal body temp is over 100°F, but their outer feathers are below 0°F, close to the temp of the frozen ground they're on. They're well-insulated. https://t.co/7Xfzp4fUl3

Oct 24, 2022 · 498 followers View post →
Mick West
@MickWest · X

@Linkchadlad @AlxndrSmith @markocheese Take penguins, for example. Evolved to exist in very cold conditions, their outer feathers are as cold as the air, sometimes colder. Yet their blood is warm, and they survive. https://t.co/59vyheZ1Mn https://t.co/g7Tfmx5f7m

Aug 7, 2022 · 45,559 followers View post →
Massimo
@Rainmaker1973 · X

@_coxofemoral_ The original paper is fully avaialable here: https://t.co/0M326FVpMe

Jan 2, 2022 · 3,793,853 followers View post →
Eliphaleth Carmona
@Eliphaleth · X

@KsepkaLab @NZfauna Found the original source: https://t.co/bIUVNsxVfL

Aug 17, 2021 · 1 like · 1,343 followers View post →
Dr Dan Jones
@Hookean1 · X

RT @RBrockPhysics: Read more here: https://t.co/95lLVI2JZZ And here: https://t.co/mrQ2kGnLOr

Aug 12, 2021 · 1 share · 20,402 followers View post →
Richard Brock
@RBrockPhysics · X

Read more here: https://t.co/95lLVI2JZZ And here: https://t.co/mrQ2kGnLOr

Aug 12, 2021 · 6 likes · 1 share · 1,273 followers View post →
Sudo Woodo
@schuemmli · X

@AnnaK_4ever But emperor penguin body surfaces cool below air temperature

Jun 28, 2020 · 9 followers View post →
Jérôme OLLIER
@jeromeollier.bsky.social · Bluesky

Actus Mer/Sea News: Emperor penguin body surfaces cool below air temperature - The Royal... http://dlvr.it/333M0V via @PlaneteNAUSICAA

Mar 7, 2013 View post →
Researchers find emperor penguins outer feathers colder than ...
News

doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2012.1192. Abstract Emperor penguins Aptenodytes forsteri are able to survive the harsh Antarctic climate because of ...

Mar 7, 2013 View →
Pinguine, gut gekühlt - wissenschaft.de
News

... 10.1098/rsbl.2012.1192 © wissenschaft.de – Ilka Lehnen-Beyel. © wissenschaft.de. Teilen: Facebook · Twitter · LinkedIn · Xing; Newsletter ...

Mar 6, 2013 View →