GALVESTON, Texas – Christmas arrived early at Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid with the heartwarming addition of two Chinstrap penguin chicks.
Hatched on Dec. 17 and 22, the tiny newcomers are bringing festive cheer to visitors and staff alike as they settle into their home in the South Atlantic Exhibit just in time for the holidays.
The first chick, hatched on Dec. 17, weighed in at 182 grams during its Christmas Eve weigh-in. Proud parents Blue and Blanche are diligently caring for the fuzzy chick, which is thriving under their watchful eyes.
The younger sibling, hatched on Dec. 22, is also doing well, weighing 114 grams, and is being lovingly cared for by parents Squawk and Dorothy.
“These chicks will remain with their parents on exhibit for about a month,” explained Brooke Loewenthal, a staff biologist who works closely with the penguins. “[Once] they become more active…they will be moved to the back of the exhibit.”
Currently, the chicks’ down feathers are not waterproof, making it vital to keep them away from the exhibit’s deep, cold water.
While they are tucked safely under their parents’ bellies, guests may still catch occasional glimpses of the adorable duo during feeding times or through the live penguin webcam, which offers a front-row seat to the action.
Moody Gardens is home to 93 penguins across four species: King, Macaroni, Gentoo, and Rockhopper.
The recent hatches mark yet another successful breeding season at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited facility.
With King penguin eggs still waiting to hatch, more baby birds could join the flock in early 2025!
Beyond the excitement of the new chicks, Moody Gardens’ penguins have been making waves in the digital world.
In mid-December, a video featuring Marley, a Rockhopper penguin, creating a colorful painting went viral, racking up over 100 million views across social media platforms.
The heartwarming clip introduced viewers to Moody Gardens’ conservation efforts, inspiring many to support wildlife preservation projects.
Visitors can celebrate the holiday season by observing the adorable Chinstrap penguin chicks up close at Moody Gardens or tuning in to the live penguin webcam for a virtual front-row seat to the festive action.
And that’s not all—Moody Gardens is open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, offering the perfect opportunity to make magical holiday memories with your loved ones.
No need to worry about the weather—rain or shine, Moody Gardens is ready to make your holidays unforgettable.
From heartwarming animal encounters to festive attractions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Feeling the holiday magic? Snap those special moments and share the joy with us at Click2Pins—let’s make your memories shine!
