How Big Are Giant Pandas at Birth?

Any zoo that is home to a giant panda can count on it being one of the most popular exhibits at the facility. The crowds get even bigger if the female has a cub. With their distinctive black and white markings, giant pandas seem lumbering and friendly, unlike their grizzly cousins. A fully grown female giant panda will weigh about 220 pounds (100 kilograms). Their newborn cubs, however, are about the size of a stick of butter, which weighs just 4 ounces (113 grams). Since giant pandas tend to be solitary creatures, it's a challenge for any zoo to successfully mate a pair of pandas, and artificially inseminating a female does not always work. Add to that the challenge of having the female carry her cub or cubs to term and then being able to care for them properly. A successful mating and birth are causes for celebration at any zoo.

After a cub is born, the keepers will briefly take the cub in order to weigh it and assess its health, before returning it to the anxious mother. Panda moms and their cubs are closely monitored for any problems that arise with the cub's health, or the mother's ability to care for it.

More about giant pandas and their cubs:

• Giant panda cubs open their eyes when they are between six and eight weeks old.
• While it is pink and hairless at birth, a giant panda cub will begin to display its unique black and white markings by about three or four weeks old.
• About 13 zoos in the United States have hosted giant pandas in their enclosures. Currently, four zoos have the honor: The National Zoo in Washington, D.C.; Zoo Atlanta, in Georgia; the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee and the San Diego Zoo in California. The panda cub Bei Bei was born at the National Zoo on 22 August 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do giant pandas weigh at birth?

Giant pandas are remarkably small at birth compared to their mothers, weighing approximately 100 to 200 grams, which is about the weight of a small apple. This is less than 1/900th of the mother's weight, making them one of the smallest mammal newborns relative to their mother's size.

What size are giant pandas when they are born?

At birth, giant pandas are about 15 to 17 centimeters (6 to 7 inches) long. They are born pink, blind, and almost completely hairless, relying entirely on their mothers for warmth and protection during their vulnerable early days.

How long does it take for a newborn panda to develop fur?

Newborn pandas start to develop their iconic black and white fur within the first few weeks. By the time they are one month old, they begin to resemble their adult counterparts more closely, with a full coat of fur to keep them warm.

Why are giant panda cubs born so small?

Giant panda cubs are born small due to a phenomenon known as altricial birth, where offspring are underdeveloped and require extensive parental care. This is thought to be an evolutionary strategy that allows the mother to conserve energy during pregnancy and invest more in postnatal care and feeding.

How long does it take for a giant panda cub to open its eyes?

Giant panda cubs typically open their eyes between 6 to 8 weeks of age. Before this, they are completely dependent on their mother's senses to navigate their environment and find nourishment.

When do giant panda cubs start to become independent from their mothers?

Giant panda cubs start to gain independence around one year of age when they begin to venture out on their own and eat solid food. However, they usually stay with their mothers for up to two years before becoming fully independent, learning essential survival skills throughout this period.