Photos: Meet Shedd Aquarium's Newest Penguin Friend, Ruggles!

By Lisa White in News on Apr 15, 2014 9:30PM

A basket of rockhopper penguin toys await eager guests at the Shedd.

Lana Vanagasem, manager of penguins and sea otters, announced the name of the newest rockhopper penguin chick, Ruggles.

A brave penguin fan poses for a photo with the slightly terrifying penguin mascot at the Shedd's name unveiling event.

A photo of Ruggles soon after she hatched last summer.

A growing Ruggles being weighed during one of her check-ups.

Ruggles making friends with the other rockhopper penguins.

A still fuzzy Ruggles smiles for the camera.

Ruggles during one of her more recent check-ups.

Ruggles originally weighed only 75 grams during one of her first check-ups. She now weighs 4.9 pounds.

All smiles and a clean bill of health for Ruggles!

The newest addition to Shedd Aquarium's rockhopper penguin family finally has a name to put with her adorable face. Members were able to vote on the name and with 846 votes the winner is Ruggles! The name was announced at a members-only reveal celebration that included toy rockhoppers for kids and photos with a slightly terrifying but somewhat cute penguin mascot (sorry Shedd, the actual penguins far outweigh the mascot in cuteness).

Why Ruggles? The Shedd has more information on how they decide to name the penguins:

The marine mammal’s team at Shedd provided name choices, which reflect the geographic native habitats of rockhopper penguins. Ruggles refers to Ruggles Bay and the facing Ruggles Island in the Falklands. Her parents are Drake, named after Drake Passage in the Southern (or Antarctic) Ocean, and Magdalena, named for an island off Chile’s coast.