Bei Bei Is Growing Fast
Conceiving and breeding a panda is not an easy process. Mature females are able to conceive only about two days a year. In addition, newborn pandas are really fragile creatures.
Newborn
(0-4 months)Panda cubs are born blind and with only 1/900 of their mother’s weight. They cry loudly to get their mother's attention.
Cub
(4-24 months)Cubs start to eat bamboo around six months and stop nursing at 18 months, spending more time alone.
Independence
(1.5-2 years)In the wild, a cub leaves its mother at 1.5 to two years of age, depending on if its mother has conceived again.
Maturity
(4-6 years)Females are fully mature and able to breed at four years, and males at six, while captive giant pandas mature earlier.
Bei Bei’s development
Explore the interactive time line to view milestones.
MONICA SERRANO, NG STAFF
Source: Smithsonian's National Zoo
Source: Smithsonian's National Zoo