Information on Baby Pandas

When you hear the word panda, you most likely mean one of the two species of pandas, the giant panda. Beloved in its native China, and an universal icon for popular children's films and stories, the panda is not merely a cuddly, defensive animal. Pandas have been known to attack and kill humans; for instance, according to a recent Associated Press article, Beijing zoo's famous panda Gu Gu, has attacked humans on three different occasions As for reproduction itself, pandas have low birth rates in the wild and, for some reason, rarely mate in captivity. It is quite understandable why baby pandas are so valued.

  1. Identification

    • Contrary to previous theories, giant pandas are actually bears and not members of the raccoon family, according to the Wanglang Nature Reserve. Giant pandas are considered a national treasure in China, and killing a panda in China will result in capital punishment. Though they prefer, and will primarily eat, bamboo for most of their lives, their teeth and digestive system can handle eggs, fish and fruit. Giant pandas are currently on the endangered list, due to combined reasons of their low birth rates and the destruction of their natural habitat.

    Mating and Problems

    • There are have many attempts to help breed pandas in captivity. CNN.com reports that one zoo in Thailand has shown pandas videos of other pandas mating to encourage them to mate. After mating, especially in the wild, it is the female who will raise the cub. However, if she gives birth two babies, she will mostly likely only care for one. According to a recent report on PandaNews.com, there were 30 known pandas born in captivity 2008.

    Features

    • According to Wanglang Nature Reserve, baby pandas are called cubs. They are born without hair, so their bright pink skin is one of the most distinguishing features. They are also born blind and weigh an average of 3 oz., so this makes them completely dependent on their mothers. When they are a month old, the have a very soft fur covering. The fur coarsens as they grow.

    Feeding and Care

    • According to Smithsonian National Zoological Park, panda cubs will nurse on average of 10 times a day, for half an hour. In the wild, mothers will leave their cubs for several hours a day to forage for food, and the babies are completely helpless. Mothers play with their cubs and aid in their development by rolling them around on the ground and tussling with them.

    Maturation

    • Cubs begin to crawl when they are three months old, according to Smithsonianational Zoological Park. Though still dependent on nursing, they begin to eat bamboo in small amounts within six months. After a year, they will be completely off their mother's milk and weigh almost 100 lbs. They generally stay with their mother for the fist two years of their lives and then separate to begin their own lives.