This update was written by giant panda biologist Laurie Thompson.
Bei Bei is a healthy 12.5 pound boy and he's on the move. Although he took his first steps, the rock work provided more traction than the slippery floor, so it will take him a little longer to figure out how to walk on this surface. The other cubs were able to eventually figure it out though so we aren't worried about his progression. When Bei Bei isn't trying to walk, he is often nursing. We aren't monitoring him 24/7 but our best guess is that he nurses 3 to 6 times per day.
Panda cam viewers may hear Bei Bei making many different vocalizations.
Like all babies his vocalizations indic
ate a need for something. Usually he is either hungry, wants his mom, or is just frustrated that his legs aren't getting him where he wants to go. He also may be indicating that he needs to go to the bathroom. A panda mom stimulates her cub to urinate or defecat
e by licking them. At about four months of age, Bei Bei will be able to perform these tasks without aid.
When he is being held, Bei Bei also makes a happy grunting sound that indicates he feels secure (although you can't quite hear it on the cam). Fun fact: panda cubs may look like giant fluffballs, but p
anda fur is actually very coarse and dense like wool (especially on their backs and rear ends). Cub fur is much softer but Bei Bei is already getting the coarse fur!
Lastly, Bei Bei does not recognize his individual keepers yet, however he has started to respond to the sound of human voices. Keepers have noticed the cub orienting himself in the direction of the person speaking to him.
ICYMI: Bei Bei will make his public debut on January 16. Mark your calendars!
