The Tennessee Aquarium family has grown by two webbed feet—times two! Behind the scenes, penguin keepers have been working tirelessly to guide two new Gentoo penguin chicks through their early developmental milestones as they prepare to join the main colony.
A Tale of Two Personalities
Born three weeks apart, the two chicks are already displaying distinct traits that reflect both their parents and their unique starts in life. The younger chick, who hatched on July 17th, is laid-back, affectionate, and attached to human caretakers.
"They are very used to us... we actually helped out a lot in the beginning," says Senior Animal Care Specialist, Holly Gibson. Gibson explains that the team stepped in to offer supplemental feedings when the younger chick wasn't gaining weight. "We could see a lot of food on the ground, which meant [the parents] were trying to feed, it just wasn't ending up in the mouth. So once they kind of figured it out... then we didn't need to help along anymore."
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The older chick, raised in a separate quiet room to avoid aggressive macaroni penguins on exhibit, is vocal, cautious, and closely shadowed by its father. "The dad of the chick that's in this room is very protective, almost overprotective... It's kind of like a helicopter parent type of situation," Gibson shared, noting that this strong bond will serve the chick well when adjusting to the main colony.
Milestone Swim Tests and Little "Penguin Cannonballs"
Before joining the rest of the colony, both chicks must clear a crucial rite of passage: passing a swim test in private back-of-house pools. Keepers check to ensure the chicks have grown their adult waterproof feathers and can swim, float, and exit the water safely on their own.
According to Gibson, learning to swim doesn't always look graceful at first.
"My favorite thing I'd have to say is watching a penguin chick go into the water on their own the first time," Gibson noted. "They stand on the edge in the exhibit, and they stare at it... A lot of times the chicks will just jump in feet first, and it looks kind of awkward. It's like a little penguin cannonball. They don't realize they're supposed to dive in at first until they kinda see and observe others do it."
Once the swim tests are complete, Gibson and fellow keeper Loribeth Lee will supervise the chicks' gradual daytime introductions to the exhibit to ensure a smooth transition alongside the other curious adults.
Upcoming events to intereact with baby penguins:
- Penguin Baby Shower and Gender Reveal: Sunday, September 13th from 10am-3pm at the Tennessee Aquarium
- Celebrate the Aquarium’s two Gentoo Penguin chicks with special penguin themed activities
- Sunbelt Bakery will be onsite with complimentary sweet treat
- Penguin keeper chats at 10:30am, 1pm, and 3pm
- Gender reveal during 3pm chat
- Included with regular Aquarium admission
- Coloring, stickers, and penguin temporary tattoo stations
- Educators sharing penguin facts with guests
- Auction runs online from September 15th through the 22nd
- Visit tnaqua.org/auction
- Chick related – folks can bid on naming rights for our two penguin chicks
- Additional items – Animal art, fun behind-the-scenes encounters, Chattanooga hotel/restaurant deals, and more
