Moody Gardens Celebrates First Humboldt Penguin Chick Births

GALVESTON, Texas (March 26, 2026) — Moody Gardens has reached a historic milestone with the hatching of three Humboldt penguin chicks, the first of their kind born at the facility.

The chicks hatched earlier this month and are healthy and developing well under the care of their parents and Moody Gardens’ animal care team. One chick, born March 15, is the offspring of Yolanda and Cusco and has a sibling that remains in the nest box while being fed. A second chick, born March 18 to parents Marcona and Ballestas, was also recently examined by staff.

“This is our first ever time having Humboldt penguin chicks, so we’re very excited,” said Amy Jones, a biologist who works with the penguins and seals at Moody Gardens.

Animal care staff recently conducted routine weigh-ins for two of the chicks as part of ongoing health monitoring. The chicks are currently being raised in nest boxes, where their parents keep them warm and well-fed.

Humboldt penguins are native to the coastal regions of Peru and Chile and are considered a warm-weather penguin species. Unlike Antarctic penguins, they live in more temperate climates along the cold Humboldt Current. At Moody Gardens, their habitat is carefully maintained at approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with water temperatures around 55 degrees to replicate natural conditions.

The Aquarium Pyramid is home to a colony of 12 Humboldt penguins, each with distinct personalities. Known for being curious and social, the penguins regularly engage with enrichment activities provided by staff, including bubbles, toys and interactive objects that stimulate natural behaviors.

As a burrowing species, Humboldt penguins raise their young in protected nesting areas. The chicks will remain off exhibit until they develop waterproof adult feathers. Once they mature and become more mobile, they will gradually be introduced to areas where they can safely explore before eventually joining the main habitat.

Moody Gardens officially welcomed Humboldt penguins to the Aquarium Pyramid in 2017, making this successful hatching a significant achievement nearly a decade in the making. The milestone reflects the ongoing commitment of the animal care team to provide specialized care, maintain optimal habitat conditions and support conservation-focused breeding programs.

Humboldt penguins are classified as Vulnerable in the wild due to threats such as climate change, overfishing and habitat disruption. Accredited institutions like Moody Gardens play an important role in protecting vulnerable species through conservation initiatives, research and public education.

The chicks are expected to become visible in the exhibit in the coming weeks as they grow more independent. Their genders will be determined through DNA testing, and names will be announced at a later date.

B-roll video and soundbites of the penguin chicks are available for media use. Please credit Moody Gardens.

For more information about the penguin colony and to view live webcam footage, visit moodygardens.org.