Another early Christmas present, this time for Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas, with both King penguin and Gentoo penguin hatchings in the last week and a half. In the pictures below, a little Gentoo penguin chick takes a ride in a sleigh, via tupperware. Gentoos build their nests out of rocks, which are then jealousy guarded. Particularly nice rocks are offered as gifts by male Gentoos to females to curry favor.

PENGUIN TYKES FOLLOW HURRICANE IKE
AT GALVESTON AQUARIUM
Moody Gardens® Has Record Breeding Year with Eggs from Four Species of Penguins
Galveston, Texas… A perfect holiday gift arrived in Galveston as two gentoo penguin babies were born at Moody Gardens® on Dec. 12 and Dec. 19. They were the first two penguin births this year, making the holidays even more meaningful for the healing island as recovery efforts progress following Hurricane Ike.
“Everyone loves the warm and fuzzy,” said Diane Olsen, assistant curator at the Aquarium Pyramid®, referring to the fuzzy penguin chicks as well as the heartwarming reaction they seem to trigger. “As a Galveston resident myself, I know we can appreciate each of these wonderful occurrences this year.”
Despite intermittent power, emergency power and a few days of life support through oxygen tanks and air rocks following Hurricane Ike, the Moody Gardens® penguins started breeding activities right after the storm, signaling optimal conditions and behavior in the penguin habitat, Olsen said. Staff is expecting 11 more eggs of various species to hatch in the coming weeks.
It takes about six to nine months for king penguin chicks to become full-grown adults while gentoo babies take two to three months on average.