Why Do Mandarin Ducks Have Webbed Feet? Explanation for 9-Year-Olds

Mandarin ducks, like many water birds, have special feet called webbed feet. This means there is a stretchy, thin skin connecting their toes, almost like a little swimming paddle between each toe.

The webbing helps them in two big ways:

• Swimming Faster: When a duck kicks its feet, the webbing spreads out and pushes lots of water backward. This helps the duck move forward quickly and smoothly in water.
• Diving Easily: The stretchy bands between their toes also help the ducks dive under water. They can catch fish and other food because their feet help them swim faster and stay underwater longer.

So, the webbed feet are like natural flippers that make Mandarin ducks great swimmers and hunters in the water!