Winter Animal Athletes You may have some incredible human athletes on your TV right now, but how about these wild athletes?! of 9 Penguins Skeleton bob-ing down slopes and launching their streamlined bodies into the water, these Adelie penguins are perfectly aerodynamic. No need for lycra here. Get a group together and we might have a bobsleigh team on our hands. Ptarmigan The ptarmigan has snowshoes for staying above the powder - head and shoulders above the other animal athletes. Ptarmigans have extra feathery feet that grip the snow and provide a larger surface area. Perfect for those cross-country courses! Snowshoe Hare Another one with cross-country snowshoes! Snowshoe hares have wide, hairy paws that provide excellent traction for getting ahead of pursuing athletes, like mountain lions. Snow Leopard Too bulky to really utilise snowshoe-adaptations, this snow leopard uses power and agility in the downhill and cross country, capturing its prey with speed, not stamina. Japanese Crane Just like figure skaters, Japanese cranes dance in the wintery snows of Japan during their courtship rituals. It really is a beautiful sight. Snowy Owl No need for a clear day in this pursuit, snowy owls can hear their rodent prey scurrying around underneath the ice! Red Fox This red fox has got the right body posture for the long jump, next time perhaps a bigger run up, or a slope will get better results! Orca Sorry, killer whale, I'm afraid there's no high jump event. Wood Frog Not an necessarily an athlete, but one that can certainly withstand the cold - the North American wood frog can freeze solid! Check him and out and many more in David Attenborough's Natural Curiosities. © Tim Shepherd ® Humble Bee Films Slideshow Pause Show Images Hide Images Tweet