Here's why penguins waddle when they walk
Weather Broadcaster
Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 2:06 PM - The penguin's waddle has got to be one of the things that makes them one of the most loveable animals on the planet.
And now, research on these flightless birds has found their distinct gate isn't as cumbersome as it looks.
"Though they look like a funny little mess when they’re on land, they actually are using their momentum and their side to side shuffling to help them get going," says Kim Welfle, a keeper at the Toronto Zoo.
(RELATED: MASSIVE PENGUIN 'SUPERCOLONY' DISCOVERED)
"While that waddle might not look so graceful, its actually very efficient."
In fact, Welfle says the waddle is even more efficient than a human stride.
Penguins have a recovery rate of 80 per cent when they're waddling, placing them among the most efficient animals in the world.
Information gained from research into the penguin waddle may lead to improved understanding and treatment of humans with gait disabilities.
