Animals

Penguins Enjoy Advent Calendar as Christmas Begins at London Zoo

Good News Post

Dec 2, 2025 — 2 min read

London Zoo Penguins Open Advent Calendar 3 (c) Johnny Green_ZSL

By Animals Correspondent

Curious Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) waddled over for a closer look as they inspected a specially made advent calendar, packed with fishy festive treats, at London Zoo’s Penguin Beach.

The playful moment marked the official start of the Christmas countdown at the conservation zoo, delighting visitors and keepers alike.

London Zoo Penguins Open Advent Calendar 3 (c) Johnny Green_ZSL

London Zoo’s Magic of Christmas events are running until Sunday 4 January, with activities including a hidden elves’ trail, Christmas-inspired animal talks and elf-led storytelling sessions, all included with zoo-entry.

Humboldt Penguins

Humboldt penguins originate from Chile and Peru and are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with numbers declining in the
wild.

While humorously clumsy on land, Humboldt penguins are graceful swimmers and can reach speeds of up to 30miles per hour.

They hunt in the water, using their swimming skills and unique camouflage - where they blend in with the light sky when seen from below and the dark depths of the ocean from above - to avoid predators and catch fish.

Book online now at www.londonzoo.org/christmas

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