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The National Zoo’s giant panda cub
The National Zoo’s baby panda has taken his first steps — and mama bear Mei Xiang slept through it all.
Xiao Qi Ji took his first steps on Thanksgiving, but the zoo waited until Friday to share the happy news with the world.
Ahead of the big moment, the little panda cub was napping outside the den as Mei Xiang took a well-deserved rest.
When he wanted to go closer to mom, Xiao Qi Ji didn’t wait for parental permission to go on the move.
The cub pushed himself up on four paws and took a few wobbly steps toward mom before toppling over, 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.
Mei Xiang turned to look at her cub just as he tumbled onto his side. This is her fourth cub to reach the first-step milestone, after all.
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Xiao Qi Ji, whose name translates to “little miracle,” is still practicing his walking skills, the zoo says.
He’s also growing well. At his last checkup on Wednesday, the cub was “bright-eyed” and eager to practice walking and crawling on the table
Xiao Qi Ji weighed 12.4 pounds and measured 25.6 inches long.
The National Zoo’s giant panda cub has been named Xiao Qi Ji, meaning "little miracle" in Mandarin Chinese. It was one of four names offered for a public online vote to help the Smithsonian choose a moniker for the baby panda.
