Zoo

Photo via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:

“On Saturday, our giant panda family got into the Halloween spirit, thanks to the talented team in our Department of Nutrition Sciences. They whipped up some not-so-spooky “snack-o-lantern” treats for male Tian Tian and female Mei Xiang made of shredded carrots, applesauce and diluted apple juice pressed into a pumpkin using a Jack-O-Lantern-shaped mold. Keepers presented our 10-week-old cub with a pumpkin as well. Many of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s animals receive pumpkins as a fun enrichment item on Halloween because it gives them something new to smell, touch and investigate.”

To the video! (more…)

via the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:

“His abdominal girth measured 17 inches (43 centimeters)–he added half-an-inch around his midsection since his last exam Oct. 21. He also gained a full pound since last week and now tips the scales at 7.5 pounds (3.43 kilograms).”

via the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

“After we took his measurements, he promptly fell asleep on the soft towel atop the exam table.”

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From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:

“Mei Xiang continues to be a devoted mother to her cub. Now that he is larger and can regulate his own body temperature, she feels comfortable leaving the den for longer periods to eat. Mei Xiang’s appetite has returned to normal; these days, she eats approximately 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of bamboo every day.”

To the video of sleepy baby panda boy cuddling with mom: (more…)

via the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:

“Meantime, our cub continues to practice crawling. Exercising his muscles and improving his coordination will help him scoot around in the coming weeks. Around three months old, we expect he will take his first steps.”

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via the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:

“Tomorrow, our giant panda cub will be eight weeks old! Mei Xiang has always been a devoted mother to her cubs, and this little guy is no exception. She still spends the majority of her time in the den with him. Lately, he’s been practicing crawling in the area where there is no bedding. An ever-watchful mom, Mei Xiang allows her son to let out some of his energy but doesn’t let him venture too far. (more…)

via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Good boy.

via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:

“He was quiet and sleepy while we took his measurements. This week, he seemed to experience a growth spurt. He weighed 2.07 kilograms (4.5 pounds)–nearly a pound more than last week–and measured 15 inches from nose to tail tip. Our plump panda added an entire inch around his midsection! His abdominal girth measured 12.5 inches Sept. 30. Yesterday, that increased to 13.7 inches. All in all, we are happy that our cub is making good gains, and his growth and development are right on track.”

Photo by Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:

“The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s 6-week-old giant panda cub is a male, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) scientists confirmed.

Zoo veterinarians say that the cub appears to be healthy and strong. During a brief exam conducted by the panda team Oct. 1, keepers took the cub’s measurements. He weighed 3.6 pounds and measured 14 inches from nose to tail tip. His abdominal girth was 12.5 inches. Both of the cub’s eyes are starting to open. Keepers are encouraged by his progress.” (more…)

via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:

“Yesterday morning, giant panda Mei Xiang stepped out of the den, and the panda team retrieved her 6-week-old cub for another quick checkup. During last week’s exam, the cub largely napped through the process. That was not the case with this exam–the cub was wide awake, alert and very vocal while we took its measurements! It weighed 1.66 kilograms (3.6 pounds) and measured 14 inches from nose to tail tip. Its abdominal girth remained steady at 12.5 inches.

One new and exciting development is that the cub’s eyes are beginning to open! They will be fully open around 8 weeks of age. (more…)

From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo: “Cub on the move! Our giant panda team caught a glimpse of our 5-week-old cub crawling under the watchful eye of mother Mei Xiang.”

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