Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach has announced that Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse will open in early 2020. The 5,500-square-foot expansion is the largest in Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach’s 20-year history. The African penguin habitat will have floor-to-ceiling viewing glass and a 360-degree crawl tunnel for guests to waddle through.

This addition also includes a brand-new Oceans of the World gallery with eight tanks, housing fascinating species of fish from all over the world. Sporting their black-and-white plumage, the African penguin is the only species of penguin found on the African continent, preferring warmer water temperatures unlike their Antarctic counterparts.

Their unique black stripes and spots serve as their identification, similar to a human fingerprint.

The African penguin is one of the most endangered penguins in the world—numbers have declined by 60 percent in the last 28 years. Welcoming Ripley’s new colony in 2020 is just the beginning of the Aquarium’s conservation efforts, as an on-site penguin nursery will house and care for baby penguins, helping Ripley’s Aquarium foster a growing flock.

Ripley’s expansion features two new state-of-the-art classrooms for educational programs, school groups, and unique experiences that will allow guests to get up close and personal with these extraordinary birds.

“Our mission is to provide a top-quality, world-class aquatic facility that will promote environmental education, conservation, and research. We know this new penguin addition will support our educational and conservation missions while offering family-friendly entertainment for visitors of all ages,” said Pablo Chavez, general manager, Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach.