Final answer:
According to Lamarck's theory of evolution, penguins have short wings because their ancestors continuously used their wings for swimming, causing the wings to gradually shorten over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Penguins have short wings according to Lamarck's theory of evolution. Lamarck proposed that organisms can acquire traits during their lifetime and pass them on to their offspring. According to Lamarck, penguins developed short wings because their ancestors continuously used their wings for swimming, causing the wings to gradually shorten over time. This acquired characteristic was then inherited by subsequent generations, resulting in penguins having short wings.
Learn more about Lamarck's theory of evolution