Penguin wings are paddle-like flippers used for swimming. The motion of the flippers resembles the wing movements of flying birds, giving penguins the appearance of flying through water. The wing and breast muscles are well developed, to propel penguins through water - a medium much denser than air.

How do penguins move in water?

In the ocean, penguins use their narrow, stiff wings like flippers. They paddle slowly with their wings at the surface, but underwater they flap them to “fly” swiftly along.

Do penguins swim in water?

Penguins swim underwater at speeds of up to 15 to 25 miles per hour . As adept swimmers, penguins spend a lot of time in the water. Some penguins spend up to 75 percent of their lives in the water.