National Zoo

The National Zoo's Giant Panda Cub Turns 4 Weeks Old

Mei Xiang's newborn cub made its big arrival Aug. 21

By NBC Washington Staff • •

Smithsonian National Zoo

The National Zoo’s giant panda Mei Xiang holds her cub on Sept. 13, 2020.

Let the troubles of 2020 fall away for a moment to celebrate the National Zoo's new panda cub hitting some major milestones — and flashing some majorly cute moments on the Panda Cam.

Mei Xiang holds her cub on Sept. 13, 2020.

Mei Xiang's cub turned four weeks old on Friday. The little one appears to be growing well and is even spending a little more time away from mom's soft, furry embrace, the National Zoo says.

Look closely and you can even see some tiny panda claws. You can also see the cub's fur growing thicker and covering more of its pink skin.

The National Zoo's panda cub rests on Sept. 17, 2020, one day before turning four weeks old. Can you spot its tiny claws?

Panda watchers will still see the pair spending lots of time snuggling up, but Mei Xiang has been leaving her cub a little more often, for as long as 18 minutes at a time, to eat and drink outside the den.

During one of those periods when Mei Xiang leaves, Zookeepers will choose the right time to conduct a second quick exam and try to get a DNA swab that would reveal whether the cub is male or female.

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At this young age, cubs are all similar in appearance, so the DNA check will be the most accurate way to tell for sure, the zoo said.

Xiao Qi Ji, which translates from Mandarin to English as "little miracle," took his first steps on Thanksgiving day, the National Zoo says.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
The National Zoo’s giant panda cub
Smithsonian National Zoo
Panda Cub during exam at Smithsonian National Zoo
The National Zoo
The National Zoo’s giant panda cub has been named Xiao Qi Ji
At 6 weeks old, the cub weighed 3.6 pounds and measured 14 inches from nose to tail tip, the zoo said.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
The National Zoo has revealed that its six-week-old panda cub is a boy.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
The National Zoo used a painting created by giant panda dad Tian Tian to reveal the sex of the baby cub.
The National Zoo’s 3-week-old giant panda cub is growing wispy fur, but pink skin is still visible on its muzzle.
The National Zoo’s 3-week-old giant panda cub is growing wispy fur, but pink skin is still visible on its muzzle.
At 6 weeks old, the cub weighed 3.6 pounds and measured 14 inches from nose to tail tip, the zoo said.
Smithsonian National Zoo
The panda cub has reached one week old, and you can see those iconic black spots beginning to form around its eyes.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Mei Xiang has been resting on her side following this cub birth. When her other three cubs were tiny, she often kept them tucked under her arm. Keepers say her new position is probably more comfortable.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Panda mothers forgo eating and drinking in the first days of their cubs' life to make sure they stay warm.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Newborn panda cubs can't regulate their temperatures well, so mom Mei Xiang only leaves her cub unattended for very short periods of time.

Last Sunday, the little guy got his very first check-up. The zoo said the "active and responsive" cub weighed in at 634.8 grams, or just under 1.5 pounds. The cub's black markings have appeared, and its fur is growing in, although its pink skin is still visible at its muzzle, the top of its head, its upper back and its tail.

"We are encouraged to see that our young panda appears to be healthy and vibrant," the zoo said on its website.

The panda house at the National Zoo is currently closed to provide a quiet environment for Mei Xiang and her baby. Outdoor habitats and viewing areas remain open. You can also keep up with the pandas 24/7 on the zoo's panda cams.

This article tagged under:

National Zoopandas
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