Why do ducks float?
Ducks float because their feathers hold lots of air, like a fluffy life jacket.
Pip’s answer
- Ducks float because their feathers hold lots of air, like a fluffy life jacket.
- Ducks rub special oil on their feathers, so water just rolls right off.
- Their bones are light too, with tiny air spaces inside.
- Ooh, under the water, their webbed feet paddle like little boat oars!
Try it together
Can you paddle your hands like duck feet, buddy?
For grown-ups
Ducks float thanks to air trapped in their feathers and air sacs in their bodies, which make them light for their size. They spread oil from a gland near their tail over their feathers, which keeps water out so the feathers stay fluffy and full of air.
Ask your child: What happens to a fluffy towel's air when it gets wet?
More questions kids ask
- ⛵Why do boats float?
- 🪨Why do some things sink?
- 🐦How do birds fly?
- 🐱Why do cats purr?
- 🐝Why do bees visit flowers?
- 🦒Why do giraffes have long necks?
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