Chattanooga, Tenn. (March 25, 2016) – Experts at the Tennessee Aquarium are preparing for the start of the 2016 nesting season at Penguins’ Rock. This process will begin on March 30 with a bit of a rodeo.
At a waddle’s pace, all of the Gentoo and Macaronis will be rounded up for a trip behind the scenes to visit the Aquarium’s veterinarian. While all of the birds are getting their semi-annual physical examinations, other staff members will give the chilly habitat a thorough spring cleaning. They will drain the penguin pool and pressure wash the entire exhibit while also performing preventative maintenance on the exhibit’s wave machine.
On April 1, several hundred pounds of “magic rocks” will be brought out for the birds. This triggers the somewhat frenzied nest-building activities that usually lasts until the first eggs start appearing about one month later.
Even though experts have discredited the myth that male penguins “propose” to females with a single pebble, both Gentoo and Macaroni penguins build rock nests. The process is an important part of courtship and bonding. Each spring, aquarium aviculturists provide nesting rocks to the penguins and an immediate swarm of activity ensues.
Nesting season is always a fun time to visit the Aquarium to observe some of the most peculiar penguin behaviors seen throughout the year. And, just like any other romance, sometimes there’s a little drama. “While certain penguin species have long-term mates, it’s not always the case,” Tennessee Aquarium senior aviculturist Loribeth Lee said. “For example, while Hercules has nested with Shamrock in the past, last year he raised a chick with Little Debbie.”