What is the primary function of the backward-facing papillae found on the penguin's tongue and the roof of its mouth?
Answer
Gripping slippery prey
The papillae act like tiny internal fishhooks, effectively gripping slippery prey such as fish and squid to guide it down the throat correctly.
#Videos
Keeper Corner: Penguin Diet - YouTube
Related Questions
What single dietary classification unites all 18 recognized penguin species?What small, shrimp-like crustacean forms the backbone of the diet for many Antarctic and sub-Antarctic penguins?What is the primary function of the backward-facing papillae found on the penguin's tongue and the roof of its mouth?What is the maximum approximate depth the Emperor penguin can dive to while pursuing prey?Why is fasting mandatory for penguins during their annual molt period?When African penguins switch to less ideal food sources like Atlantic horse mackerel, what is the immediate energetic consequence for the adults?What major factor dictates whether a penguin species emphasizes fish or krill in its primary diet?What is one theory explaining the purposeful ingestion of stones by species like Rockhopper and Macaroni penguins?How much krill does the Adélie penguin population estimate they consume annually?Which of these predators poses a threat to penguins in the water?