Photos: Early Glimpses of National Zoo's Newborn Panda Cub
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The National Zoo's female giant panda, Mei Xiang, has been a protective mama since her newborn cub arrived Aug. 21, rarely putting down the tiny creature. But she's been providing zookeepers -- and her adoring public -- with a few glimpses of the zoo's newest wriggling resident.
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Xiao Qi Ji, which translates from Mandarin to English as "little miracle," took his first steps on Thanksgiving day, the National Zoo says.
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Smithsonian's National Zoo
The National Zoo’s giant panda cub
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Smithsonian National Zoo
Panda Cub during exam at Smithsonian National Zoo
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The National Zoo
The National Zoo’s giant panda cub has been named Xiao Qi Ji
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At 6 weeks old, the cub weighed 3.6 pounds and measured 14 inches from nose to tail tip, the zoo said.
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Smithsonian's National Zoo
The National Zoo has revealed that its six-week-old panda cub is a boy.
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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.
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The National Zoo’s 3-week-old giant panda cub is growing wispy fur, but pink skin is still visible on its muzzle.
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The National Zoo’s 3-week-old giant panda cub is growing wispy fur, but pink skin is still visible on its muzzle.
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At 6 weeks old, the cub weighed 3.6 pounds and measured 14 inches from nose to tail tip, the zoo said.
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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.
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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.
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Smithsonian's National Zoo
Panda mothers forgo eating and drinking in the first days of their cubs' life to make sure they stay warm.
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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.
