We need goggles and masks to see well underwater, but even though penguins spend almost as much time on land as they do in the water, you won’t spot any tiny, adorable penguin eyewear at the beach. 👓🐧
Instead, penguins have flattened corneas that refract light differently and strong eye muscles that can change the shape of their lenses, so they can focus both in and above the water! And to protect those peepers from scrapes, scratches, and stinging salt water, penguins have a clear eyelid, called a nictitating membrane (yes—just like your cat), that shields them while swimming.
