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Greensboro Science Center’s Youngest Penguins Make Their First Splash

Penguins have a knack for swimming, but at the Greensboro Science Center, younglings take swimming lessons until they are ready to swim with the big guys in the exhibit.

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Science Center’s youngest African penguins, Winnie and Darwin, made their first splash.

The penguins were born at the beginning of January and went on their first swim on Tuesday.

The Center’s staff helps the birds become acquainted with the water and help them get out of the water safely as they still learn how to do everything on their own.

The Greensboro Science Center shared a Facebook live video narrating the experience and showing all the splashing that went on.

One of the staff who monitors the penguins says that the penguins should be able to swim on their own in the next two to three weeks.

After the two master their swimming skills, they will be joining the rest of the colony in the African penguin exhibit.

The penguins were introduced to the water because their feathers begin to molt, or fully replace with adult feathers that allow them to stay warm and dry when they swim.

The tub where the penguins practice their swimming has a ramp that lets the birds to slowly make it into the water until they seem comfortable to fully get in.

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