The Penguins exhibit opened in 1988 with Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins. In 2010 four King penguins were added. We have 28 Chinstraps and 33 Gentoo Penguins. Penguins are birds that cannot fly. All of our penguins were born in captivity and come from our zoo or other zoos around the world. The SSP ( Survival Species Programs) keeps track of all penguins in zoos.They are sent to other zoos to avoid in-breeding. The penguins wear arm bands that are color coded. This is so the keepers can tell them apart during a feeding. They have one on each flipper. The keepers keep track of their feeding. If they stop eating the keeper will make sure that the penguin is in good health. Penguins are excellent swimmers. The shape of their bodies help them move through the water quickly in order to catch fish or escape a predator. The color of their feathers act a camouflage. The black feathers on top of the penguin looks like water to birds flying over head. The white feathers on the belly look like the sky to predators under neath them. The feathers are water proof and keep the penguins from freezing. They take time when on the rocks to groom and add oil to their feathers. They can hold their breath for the time in may take them to swim under the ice.