Baby penguins show up near Akademik Vernadsky station in Antarctica

How many penguins have hatched from eggs

The little chicks are incredibly cute, covered in grayish fuzz, chirping and clumsily hiding under their parents.

"Currently, 8 chicks have been born out of the first 11 eggs laid in early November. There are families where two penguin chicks have already hatched, while in some, one chick is still awaiting the arrival of a brother or sister," the post says.

Penguins at the Akademik Vernadsky station (photo: facebook.com/AntarcticCenter)

Biologist Serhii Hlotov of the 28th UAE (Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition) was the first to notice the baby penguins. He joked that instead of a sork, the Noosphere brought reinforcements to the polar researchers (referring to the icebreaker Noosphere, which arrived at the station on Monday, December 11).

"The next few months on our island are expected to witness a true baby boom. There is currently a record number of subantarctic penguins nesting here - over 5,300 of them. Biologist Vadym Tkachenko of the 28th UAE counted 4,800 eggs in their nests," added the Akademik Vernadsky station.

More photos of little penguin chicks

Penguins at the Akademik Vernadsky station (photo: facebook.com/AntarcticCenter)

Interesting facts about penguins

According to biologists, the number of chicks that can hatch in the coming days depends on the amount of snow, the activity of predators, and other factors. But the station is already thinking that there will be a lot of little penguins there for the New Year's.

"These birds take turns incubating eggs and chicks. While one partner stays on the nest, the other goes into the ocean to hunt for krill, and then they switch after a few days," the biologists added.

The chicks are under the complete care of their parents during the first month of their life. Then, molting begins, and the penguin chicks start exploring the world. And when the down is completely replaced by feathers, the chicks gradually start swimming in the ocean.