Facts About Baby Panda Bears

Panda bears are some of the most loved and yet most elusive animals on Earth. While scientists have learned a great deal about panda bears, the endangered species live in the highly specialized--and increasingly vanishing--bamboo forests of China, and are considered solitary and secretive. However, as a result of both studies in zoos and in the wild, scientists have discovered many facts about baby panda bears.

  1. Time Frame

    • The gestational period of baby panda bears is between 95 and 160 days, and while two cubs may be delivered, often only one will survive.

    Size

    • Panda bears are the smallest newborn mammal, aside from marsupials, in relation to the size of the mother panda bear. Baby panda bears weigh only 3 to 5 oz., and are similar in length and width to a stick of butter.

    Features

    • For the first 6 to 8 weeks of life, baby panda bears cannot open their eyes, and they are virtually immobile until they reach 3 months of age. Baby panda bears are entirely dependent on their mothers for nutrition in the first months of life, and are not weaned until they're 1 year of age.

    Development

    • The known facts about baby panda bears indicate that significant development milestones are reached between 5 months and 1 year of age. During this time, baby panda bears imitate much of their mothers' behavior, include walking, climbing trees and eating bamboo.

    Potential

    • By age 2 baby panda bears leave their mothers and begin their lives on their own. Unfortunately, there are all too few adult and baby panda bears left in the wild, with a population of only 1,600 today.
      Facts about the life expectancy of baby panda bears in the wild are uncertain, but scientists believe it is less than 35 years.