What is the primary purpose of the uropygial gland secretion during penguin preening?
Answer
To provide essential waterproofing and deter microbial growth.
Penguins dedicate significant time, often up to three hours daily, to preening their plumage to maintain its functionality. A critical component of this maintenance involves distributing oil produced by the uropygial gland, which is situated at the base of the tail. This oil is spread meticulously across the entire coat of feathers. The primary functions of this oil are twofold: it ensures the feathers remain highly waterproof, preventing waterlogging which would compromise insulation and buoyancy, and it also possesses properties that help in deterring the growth of potentially harmful microbes on the densely packed feathers.
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