During the first few months:
* Constant care: The mother panda stays with her cub almost constantly for the first few months, only leaving for short periods to eat or use the bathroom.
* Nesting: The mother creates a nest of leaves and branches for her cub, providing warmth and protection.
* Nursing: Giant panda cubs are entirely dependent on their mother's milk for the first several months. They nurse frequently, sometimes as often as every hour.
* Warmth: The mother cuddles her cub close to keep it warm, as panda cubs are born relatively underdeveloped and need extra warmth.
* Cleaning and stimulation: The mother panda cleans her cub, stimulating its circulation and helping it stay healthy.
* Protection: She fiercely protects her cub from any potential threats.
As the cubs grow:
* Playtime: Once the cubs start to move around, their mother encourages playful interactions, which helps them develop their motor skills and social skills.
* Teaching: The mother panda teaches her cubs essential survival skills like how to climb, eat bamboo, and navigate their environment.
* Weaning: Cubs start to eat solid food around 3-4 months old and are fully weaned around 18 months.
* Independence: The cubs stay with their mothers for about 18 months, then begin to explore and become independent.
Interesting facts:
* Giant panda mothers only have one or two cubs at a time.
* Female pandas are known to show surprising aggression towards their cubs, sometimes even rejecting them. This is often due to inexperience or stress.
* Giant panda cubs have a very high mortality rate, mainly due to lack of maternal care.
* Zoos and conservation organizations play a vital role in helping panda cubs survive by providing experienced mothers or foster mothers.
Overall, giant pandas are incredibly devoted mothers who provide their cubs with constant care and attention. They nurture their cubs, teach them essential survival skills, and prepare them for independence.