Penguin Named Saquon Hatched At Camden Aquarium On Super Bowl Sunday

CAMDEN, NJ — In just one season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Saquon Barkley cemented himself as a legend on the gridiron and at the aquarium.

On the morning of Super Bowl Sunday, Adventure Aquarium celebrated the hatching of a male little blue penguin chick. The Camden aquarium has named him Saquon in a nod to the All-Pro running back.

Saquon was hatched to parents Sheila and Spud, marking the pair's fifth chick hatched at the aquarium. At 11 days old, Saquon will remain behind the scenes as he learns to eat fish, swim and acclimates to aquarium life.

Once he's 2 months old, Saquon will join the colony on exhibit for guests.

The Eagles' Super Bowl LIX victory over the Chiefs fell on Barkley's birthday, which is Feb. 9. During the match, Barkley broke the NFL record for most rushing yards in a season, playoffs included.

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome a new, healthy chick to our little blue penguin colony," said Marc Kind, director of aquarium operations. "The timing of Saquon's hatch on Super Bowl Sunday, coupled with the Eagles' big win, made naming this little penguin after Saquon Barkley a no-brainer."

Little blue penguin chicks gain about 10 percent of their body weight every day during the first week and reach adult size in two months, according to Adventure Aquarium.

Native to the coasts of Australia and New Zealand, little blue penguins are the smallest penguin species. They are named after their plumage of slate-blue feathers.

Located along the Camden Waterfront, Adventure Aquarium is home to more than 15,000 aquatic animals.