giant panda

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.”

To the video: (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! (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.” (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. (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: (more…)

Magnificent.

Check the video from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo: (more…)

From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:

“Giant panda Mei Xiang continues to be a wonderful mother to her newborn. Last night, she gently set the cub down on the floor of their den and walked into her main indoor enclosure to drink some water. Once again, we were able to get a good look at it via the Panda Cam. At almost two weeks old, the cub is able to lift itself off of the ground for a few moments. It is exciting to see the iconic black markings around its eyes and on its ears, legs and saddle (back) become more visible every day.”

Closeups and video: (more…)

From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:

“Over the weekend, giant panda Mei Xiang continued to take excellent care of her newborn cub. (more…)