Just like human babies, Nio the baby penguin has a lot to learn. He can already walk, but he’s still new to the whole swimming thing. Which, as you may know, is a rather important skill for animals like him. Luckily, the folks at the Indianapolis Zoo are happy to help this adorable little guy get started. But before that could happen, they simply had to wait…
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But what were they waiting for, exactly? Well, turns out, baby penguins aren’t born with waterproof feathers. Instead, they start off with super fluffy down feathers that are meant to keep them warm. So, once enough of those baby feathers fell off, Nio was ready to “dive” into the kiddie pool! Check out the video below to experience Nio’s first time swimming in the pool.
@indianapoliszoo Baby penguin Nio has been practicing swimming. Watch him take his first steps in the baby pool. 🌊🐧 Nio's Story: Nio's parents are here at the Indy Zoo. They made their nest very close to the water. To keep the egg safe, the keepers switched the egg with a fake in case it fell in the water, (and the fake egg did!). The keepers kept Nio’s egg in the Zoo’s incubator and that’s where he was born! While waiting for his waterproof feathers to come in, Nio spent his time in a dry area to keep his body temperature warm. He was introduced to the other penguins in his colony and enjoys spending time with his fellow penguin Nugget. Zoo Babies presented by Primrose Schools. #babyanimals #penguin #wildlifeconservation #cutenessoverload #indyzoo ♬ original sound – Indianapolis Zoo
“My daughter said he looks like Bob Ross!!” someone delightfully shares in reply to Nio’s first swim, with another person adding, “Not to be dramatic, but I would die for Nio.”
Meet Nio, the Adorable Baby Penguin at the Indianapolis Zoo Who is Learning How to Swim
According to the caption on this popular post, Nio’s parents also live at the Indianapolis Zoo. When they first made their nest, zoo workers feared the egg was placed too close to the water. So, they switched out the real egg with a fake one, only to discover they were right to do so — the fake one fell into the water!
@indianapoliszoo We know you wanted to see more penguin chick, so here he is. Meet Nio, whose name means "new beginnings." Now at three months old, Nio is currently molting his soft downy feathers and growing juvenile feathers that are silvery grey in color and waterproof. After that he will begin learning how to swim. Once he can swim on his own, he will be out on exhibit. Zoo babies presented by Primrose Schools. #penguins #babypenguin #cutenessoverload #indianapoliszoo
♬ original sound – Indianapolis Zoo
That means that, thankfully, the egg with Nico was safe in an incubator. In other words, Nico has come a long way already! In addition to his swimming lessons, he’s been getting a warm welcome from the rest of his penguin family.
“While waiting for his waterproof feathers to come in, Nio spent his time in a dry area to keep his body temperature warm,” the zoo’s caption reads. “He was introduced to the other penguins in his colony and enjoys spending time with his fellow penguin Nugget.”
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here!
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