Bird Cams Around the World

Panda Update

Friday, October 18
We have been able to see little ridges on the cubs' gums for a while now that indicate where the baby teeth would eventually erupt. On Monday evening, I thought Cub A's gums seemed a little whiter in that area, but I couldn't see any teeth yet. So I was excited to come to work today after my weekend off and find out that his canine teeth have begun to come in. In fact, both cubs now have a few teeny, tiny pearly whites! The cubs' canine teeth in both their upper and lower jaws are starting to come in. Soon, we will be able to see the rest of the cubs' other teeth too!
Jennifer A.
Keeper I, Mammals

Tomorrow is the big day! We hope you voted, because the panda polls were officially closed yesterday. Now, we wait!

Tune into Good Morning America tomorrow morning from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
to see the cubs’ names revealed LIVE on air.

Even with all the Pandamonium in the air, our Panda Management Team is dedicated to providing Cub Confidential subscribers with exclusive updates. Jenn Webb, Keeper I, managed to get a photo of Cub A’s erupting baby teeth while waking him for a swap. Check ‘em out!

Jennifer Andrew, Keeper I, has more news about our growing boys:

“On Saturday evening, the cubs were very active. Both seemed to be hard at work on their walking skills, and I watched both cubs get all four feet underneath them and hold themselves up for several seconds. During a swap, I got to watch Cub B take what might have been his first steps! I put him in the playpen with his brother and watched with excitement as he lifted himself off of the ground and took two wobbly steps before landing on top of Cub A. It was over so quickly that I wasn’t able to get to our camera fast enough to share it with everyone. Keep your eyes peeled to PandaCam – you never know when Cub B will make a repeat performance or when Cub A will take his first steps!”

It’s Day 99. In just a matter of hours, “Cub A” and “Cub B” will be named!

WE GOT NAMES!!!!

Mei Lun and Mei Huan!!!

Report and a re cap Video (that I had never seen)

First 100 days...

From the National Zoo
The cub has has another growth spurt since last week! She's gained almost an entire pound since Friday, October 18. At her veterinary exam this morning she weighed in at 6.73 pounds (3.06 kilograms), and received her first vaccine.

Veterinarians reported that the cub is very healthy, and despite receiving a vaccine she rested comfortably through much of the exam. She is 16.5 inches (42 centimeters) around her belly and 19.29 inches (49 centimeters) long.

The cub has started crawling and can often be seen testing her new motor skills in the den on the panda cams, sponsored in part by the Ford Motor Company Fund. Visitors to the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat may see the cub’s mother, Mei Xiang (may-SHONG), outside in the mornings around 8 a.m. She has been leaving the den and the cub for increasingly longer periods to go outside and to eat. This morning she was outside for a little more than an hour.

Beth I think you need one more to make it 3!

Heather Roberts, Keeper III, is so happy that Mei Lun and Mei Huan are healthy, growing cubs! She has this update for Cub Confidential:

“We are still supplementing the cubs with formula. It is a very small amount -- only 50 grams of formula per cub in a 24-hour period. Mei Huan typically refused the formula initially, but now both cubs are drinking the formula regularly. How much formula they are offered and consume is dependent on how much of Lun Lun's milk they have consumed during a nursing session, which can vary quite a bit. They are both still obtaining the majority of their calories from Lun Lun's milk. Mei Lun now weighs 4.61 kilograms (10.16 pounds), and Mei Huan weighs 4.69 kilograms (10.34 pounds); Mei Lun is catching up to his brother once again!”


We’re glad that Mei Lun and Mei Huan are getting all of their nutrients and calories from Lun Lun and the formula. They are growing so fast; are their teeth starting to come in yet? Heather shares:
“The cubs’ teeth are starting to break through their gums. As with any teething baby, these boys want to chew on everything -- the side of the nest box, the blankets, each other! We gave them some baby toys for them to chew on. These are toys that we have used with our other cubs in the past. The toys are in the playpen box so the cubs can play with or chew on them in there. We will not put them in the dens because Lun Lun would likely break or tear up these toys since they are quite small and soft. We have seen both cubs chewing on the toys. The cubs are still working
on their playing skills,so they are not yet at the point where they are swatting at or
playing with the toys, but it is only a matter of time!”

Who knew that watching over panda cubs required so much baby-proofing? Thank you for taking such great care of the boys!

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