'Plump' One-Month-Old Panda Cub At National Zoo Is Already 'Almost As Round As It Is Long'

Oct 07, 2020 by apost team

Born to momma panda, Mei Xiang, on August 21, 2020, at the Washington, DC zoo, this adorable, plump baby panda is giving everyone all the feels. At just one-month-old, he weighed in at three pounds and his nose-to-tail length was 13.9 inches. Two of those inches belong solely to his tail. His length nearly matches his belly's girth at 12.5 inches.

Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated with her mate's (Tian Tian) sperm on March 22, 2020 and began exhibiting pregnancy behaviors at the end of July. In August, an ultrasound confirmed the pregnancy with clear views of a developing fetus. This was an amazing and exciting feat since pandas have a small window of time each year to become pregnant—just 24-72 hours.

The sweet baby panda was born around 6:35 pm, and Mei Xiang immediately picked him up and cradled him upon hearing his cries. She cuddled and cared for him like any good mother.

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The cute baby panda is officially a boy. A DNA swab from the inside of the baby bear's cheek was collected by the zoo's veterinarians. The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) scientists at the SCBI's Center for Conservation Genomics discovered both an X and Y chromosome in the DNA analysis confirming the baby was a boy.

The DNA analysis was performed at the cute little cub's six-week check-up. Interestingly, it is quite difficult to tell the difference between male and female baby pandas when they are very young. So, DNA analysis can help definitively determine the baby's sex early on.

Additionally, the cuddly baby boy had gained over half a pound at this six-week checkup for a total weight of 3.6 pounds. He also grew to just over 14 inches while his belly girth remained steady at 12.5 inches. The little guy was even starting to open his eyes! Can you just imagine the cuteness?

Posting to the Smithsonian Zoo's Instagram page, the adorable photo was captioned:

"🐼❤️ Panda perfection. “Paws” to appreciate our sleepy cub, who had another quick exam this morning. Our plump little panda is almost as round as it is long."

For the next year, the sweet baby bear will depend on his mother's milk for all his nutritional needs. After he has weaned, he will switch to a diet primarily of bamboo and other various solid foods. However, it is not unusual for baby pandas to nurse for comfort for up to a year and a half.

Mei Xiang has begun to take small breaks away from her sweet baby boy and as she begins to take longer breaks, scientists will be able to better check in on the cub's growth and status. However, it appears the sweet baby is doing well and thriving.

In the meantime, if you want to have a look in on momma and baby, check out the Smithsonian Zoo's live panda cam. Be forewarned, however, this is cuteness on overload! Mei Xiang is also mother to Tai Shan, 15 years, Bao Bao, 7 years, and Bei Bei, 5 years. The baby panda's three siblings all live in China as a part of a breeding agreement between the Smithsonian and China Wildlife Conservation Association.

Do you have friends and family that would love to check out the as of yet unnamed baby panda with his momma? Are you interested in learning more about giant pandas and conserving wildlife? Then pass on this story to others!