I find the feet of Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) fascinating. They are webbed with hard rather than sharp claws which enable them to toboggan across the snow. The birds can control the blood flow to their feet and have a counter-current heat exchange system in their legs which reduces heat loss. The scales mean that these touch the snow rather than the fleshy part of the foot, again reducing heat loss. Both adults and chicks often sit back on their heels as this area is better insulated. This chick had positioned itself between two adults, possibly in the hope of being fed. However, the adults are not necessarily its parents and, as such, will not feed it however much it asks. The species is listed as Near Threatened and decreasing by the IUCN.