Penguins at the Saint Louis Zoo — Watch Live Webcam

Penguin & Puffin Coast: Where the Penguins Live in Saint Louis

The Saint Louis Zoo in Missouri is one of the largest zoos in the United States, and its Penguin & Puffin Coast exhibit is home to four species of penguins and two species of puffins. The exhibit opened in 2003 and immediately became one of the zoo's most popular attractions. Its key feature is the architecture, where the lower surfaces are at eye level with visitors, giving the birds the vantage point. This creates the feeling that you're on the same wavelength with the inhabitants — literally.

The live webcam is installed right in this exhibit, so you can watch the birds from anywhere in the world. The stream runs in real time, and viewers see the same thing as zoo visitors standing at the railing.

Who Lives in the Exhibit: Species Overview

Contrary to popular belief, there are no emperor penguins at the Saint Louis Zoo. The largest inhabitants of the exhibit are king penguins, which weigh about 15 kg (33 lbs) and are second in size only to emperor penguins. They are easily recognized by the bright orange patches on their heads and necks.

In addition to king penguins, the exhibit houses three more penguin species: gentoo, southern rockhopper, and Humboldt penguins. The Taylor Family Puffin Bay is home to two species of puffins — Atlantic and horned. All six species coexist peacefully in the same space, though each has its own location preferences: some favor rocky ledges, others prefer the water.

Exhibit Design: Rocks, Waterfalls, and Nesting Chambers

The exhibit is designed to closely mimic the natural habitat of birds from cold regions. Gray artificial rocks, waterfalls, and nesting chambers create a landscape reminiscent of the South Atlantic coast and subantarctic islands. Small vegetation — grasses and bushes — completes the picture.

At the bottom of the exhibit is a pool with greenish water where penguins spend a significant part of the day. This is where you can watch the birds dive, swim underwater, and leap out onto the shore — one of the most spectacular sights the webcam captures.

Daily Schedule: Feeding and Weighing

Every morning at the zoo begins with preparing food for the penguins. Keepers from the Orthwein Animal Nutrition Center deliver capelin, mackerel, pollock, trout, and herring. The birds are weighed, given vitamins, and then fed. The penguins are accustomed to the scales — some even show interest in the weighing process, which speaks to their high level of trust in humans.

Feeding time is the best time to tune into the live camera. The birds gather together, compete for fish, and you can observe their social hierarchy. The rest of the time, penguins spread out across the exhibit: some bask on the rocks, others swim, and others preen their feathers.

Seasonal Features: Molting, Activity, and Swimming

The penguins' behavior in the exhibit changes with the seasons. In winter, the birds are more active — the cold weather in Missouri suits them, and they spend more time in the water. In summer, especially on hot days, penguins more often retreat to rocky ledges in the shade.

Molting is another important period that can be observed via the webcam. During this time, the birds look ruffled, lose their old feathers, and temporarily stay out of the water. This is a completely normal process that occurs once a year for each species.

How to Get to the Zoo in Saint Louis

The Saint Louis Zoo is located in Forest Park — one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Zoo admission is free, making it accessible to all visitors. Parking on zoo grounds is also free, but on peak days spaces may be limited.

If you're planning to visit the zoo in person to see the penguins up close, it's best to come in the morning — that's when the birds are most active and feeding takes place. The Penguin & Puffin Coast exhibit is located in The Wild zone, one of the zoo's key eco-zones.

What You Can See on the Camera

The live camera shows the main part of the exhibit from above, providing a view of rocky platforms, ledges, and the pool. On camera, you can see penguins resting on rocks, swimming in greenish water, or moving between levels of the exhibit. The gray artificial rocks and small vegetation create a backdrop reminiscent of a natural landscape.

In the upper right corner of the frame, there's a glare from a light source — this is a feature of the exhibit's indoor space. At the bottom of the frame, visitors occasionally appear, filming the penguins on their smartphones. The camera operates in real time, allowing you to observe the birds' lives around the clock — though most activity occurs during daylight hours.