Mystic Aquarium welcomes 2 African penguins

MYSTIC, Conn. (WTNH) -- Mystic Aquarium welcomes two African penguin chicks.

The chicks hatched on Feb. 1 and Feb. 10 and weigh 969 grams and 281 grams.

According to a press release, the chicks will be named when they are fully fledged and their gender will be determined by a DNA test when they are approximately 6 months old.

To watch the live African penguin webcam, click here.

According to Mystic Aquarium:

The live webcam provides the unique opportunity to witness the chicks' fascinating developmental process. Viewers meet our trainers, get up-close views of the chicks, hear firsthand about their progress and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Roger Tory Peterson Penguin Pavilion.

In Mystic Aquarium's "Weekly Bird Bit" videos, penguin trainers share insights on the chicks' development and milestones, as well as answer two or three of viewers' most interesting or commonly-asked questions.

During the first 40 days, the little ones are unable to maintain their body heat, so they seek warmth under their parents. Viewers will see their heads and beaks emerge when they are hungry and when their parents feed them. Later in this period, the inquisitive chicks will slowly venture on their own into other areas of their room. Once they are weaned (around day 50), people can observe the aquarium's trainers teaching the chicks to feed from them.

At 75 to 100 days of age, the chicks will be fully fledged. Their soft down will be replaced with juvenile plumage, and they will be ready to fend for themselves and join the 26 adult African penguins on exhibit at the aquarium. Mystic Aquarium participates in the Species Survival Plan, a collaborative breeding program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The African penguin is an endangered species.