Eric Lauer, age 9, Tacoma, Wash., for his question:

DO PENGUINS HAVE ANY ENEMIES?

Some of these brave beautiful birds live in the frozen south polar regions, where few other animals can survive. Surely there cannot be other creatures around to threaten them. Or so you would think. But, sad to say, this is not so at all. Penguins must fish for their food in the chilly sea. And the chilly sea teems with large and small creatures, including hungry seals and greedy sharks. The penguins risk their lives whenever they dive into the sea and swim under water. Many are devoured by sharks and seals. Many lose a leg.

The penguins build their nests on the land  where hungry birds swoop overhead. Every year, many eggs are stolen and devoured by gulls and other birds. Later, these same birds carry off many of the fluffy penguin chicks. The entire life of a penguin is threatened by enemies from the air and enemies from the sea.