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.” Read 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. Read 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.”
To the video: Read More
via Smithsonian’s National Zoo
From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:
“As of this morning, the cub weighed 1,337 grams, or just under three pounds. From nose to tail tip, it measured 35.5 centimeters, or 13.9 inches (its tail accounts for two of those inches). For the first time, we had a chance to measure the cub’s abdominal girth as well. It’s back and belly measured 32 centimeters, or 12.5 inches in circumference. Our plump panda cub is almost as round as it is long!
we should know definitively in a week or two whether it is a male or female.”
via Smithsonian’s National Zoo
From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:
“Our giant panda cub has reached a big milestone–today marks one month since its birth Aug. 21! Read More
via Smithosonian’s National Zoo
Update from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:
“It’s hard to believe that our giant panda cub is four weeks old! We are encouraged that the newborn appears to be growing well. This is a sign that it is getting good nutrition from mother Mei Xiang’s milk.” Read More
via Smithsonian’s National Zoo
From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:
“Exciting news! When giant panda Mei Xiang left the den yesterday to eat some bamboo, the panda team was able to retrieve her 3-week-old cub for its first neonatal exam.
During the quick checkup, keepers weighed the active and responsive newborn. Read More
From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:
“Our giant panda cub is growing! As our newborn packs on the grams, it is becoming a bit easier to spot on the Panda Cam. Now that the cub’s markings have come in, we have a few weeks to go before the next big milestone. Generally, newborn giant pandas open their eyes between 6 and 8 weeks of age. We can see that its eyes are still sealed when we zoom in with the Panda Cam. Many viewers have noticed that the cub’s tail appears smaller as it grows. At birth, a giant panda’s tail measures about 5 centimeters in length–roughly a quarter of its body size. In time, cubs grow into their tails. Over the next few weeks, we will also see our cub’s fur transform from soft and wispy to wooly and thick.”
Closeup and video: Read More
