They're cute and kind of cuddly, and for a limited time, you can touch them!
The Shedd Aquarium has a new exhibit called Penguin Encounters, allowing visitors to spend about a half hour with one of the birds.
The visits, complete with a trainer on-hand to offer up interesting facts and answer questions, was the next logical step for the Shedd. After all, the penguins have been big successes at the aquarium.
In fact, over the last 20 years, nearly 90 of them have been hatched there. Many of those birds now live in zoos and aquariums around the world.
"People go away having a great time, and don't really realize they may have learned something really important and valuable about the lives of these animals," said Shedd spokesman Ken Ramirez.
The exhibit, which costs $25 per person, runs through fall. Reservations are encouraged and can be made through the Shedd Aquarium's website or by calling 312-692-3355.
