Toddlers & Preschoolers
Zoo Activities
The National Zoo's 8-Week-Old Panda Cub Is Getting Feistier by the Day
The cub, born on Aug. 21, is starting to explore his surroundings and go on field trips outside the den with his mom.
By Kelli Bender October 19, 2020
panda measured
Credit: Smithsonian National Zoo
This article originally appeared on People.com.
It's been two months since this sweet little nugget joined the world.
The Smithsonian's National Zoo's new panda cub recently hit the 8-week mark and is gaining more weight and attitude by the minute.
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"He was much more feisty yesterday than he has been for past exams and barked as he was being measured. Since his last weigh-in Oct. 7, he gained a pound," the Washington D.C. zoo wrote in a recap of the cub's most recent checkup. "Now, he tips the scales at 2.47 kilograms (5.4 pounds). From the tip of his nose to the base of his tail, he measured 16.5 inches. His biggest gain, however, was around his midsection. He went from a 13.7-inch abdominal girth to 15.9 inches—a 2.2-inch increase!"
The plump little panda, who has yet to be named, was born on Aug. 21 to Mei Xiang — who also gave birth to famous cubs Tai Shan, 15, Bao Bao, 7, and Bei Bei, 5 — and has been progressing splendidly ever since. The cub's success is thanks in big part to his mom, who has been a pro parent to all of her cubs.
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Mei Xiang has been keeping a close eye on her new baby and is just starting to give the cub a little freedom, letting him crawl around the den and go on brief field trips with her outside their behind-the-scenes enclosure.
When the cub isn't on the move he can be found eating diluted apple juice popsicles and exploring his surroundings with his newly opened ears and eyes.