Watch: Same-sex penguins are given the chance to become parents

Two penguins, Sphen and Magic are getting to grips with parenthood.

The same-sex couple were given the chance to raise a chick by Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, when they exhibited excellent parenting skills.

The proud dads made their public debut earlier this month when keepers released just how inseparable they were before the mating season.

Usually, penguins gather pebbles to create a nesting ring to keep their eggs warm and they tend to their young by one of the parents incubating the egg, while the other is on the lookout for any potential danger, like pebble robbers.

And it seemed like Magic and Sphen were naturals when they were given a dummy egg during the breeding season. Keepers didn't want to exclude them and they turned out to be top notch dads, exciting caring for the egg.

It came apparent at how capable they were and soon their fake egg was swapped with a real foster egg.

Their hard work paid off as the chick hatched on Friday, October 19 and weighed in at 91 grams.

The newborn was given the nickname Sphengic, after the dads, but its gender won't be revealed until it's two-months-old.

The birth of the penguin is extremely exciting for the Aquarium as it's the first sub-Antarctic penguin chick to be born since the colony arrived at the Darling Harbour aquarium in November 2016.

"Baby Sphengic has already stolen our hearts! We love watching the proud parents doting and taking turns caring for their baby chick,” says Tish Hannan, Penguin Department Supervisor at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium."

“With that said, the first 20 days of a penguin chick’s life are the most vulnerable so it is extra important the chick is very happy, healthy and well fed by his parents.

“We can’t wait for the world to fall in love with Baby Sphengic, like they did with our amazing same-sex couple, Sphen and Magic!”