Why Having a Bath Can Save a Penguin's Life | BBC Earth

This is just one of the many forest clearings where the penguins come to nest. With no native land predators, New Zealand has always offered these flightless seabirds a sanctuary. A safe haven for rearing their young. But there is one big disadvantage to forest living. Mud. Thousands of tiny webbed feet turn the damp ground into a veritable quagmire. This doesn't just result in a grubby appearance. It could threaten their lives. A penguin's feathers are crucial for waterproofing and insulation out at sea. If they're clogged with mud, penguins can't regulate their body temperature and could die from the cold. But the snares have found a solution. It's time for a trip to the penguin baths. After a thorough rinse, the penguins spread a very special wax through their feathers. Produced in a gland at the base of the tail, it creates a waterproof barrier that insulates and streamlines. The wax is also antimicrobial, deterring unwanted germs. For some penguins, this process can take up to three hours a day. But it's a price worth paying for their forest sanctuary.