Giant Panda Cub Xiao Qi Ji Explores Outside

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: March 31, 2021 12:30 am

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji explores outside in his habitat at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Photo Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Xiao Qi Ji, the giant panda cub at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo has had another busy week as he explored more of his outdoor habitat and he turned 7 months old on Sunday March 21st.

In recent times the adorable cub has been going on more outdoor adventures. On days with nice water he will often enter the yard at 7.30am and is not far behind mother, Mei Xiang. Some days though it does require some coaxing for the cub to go outside.

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji explores outside in his habitat at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Photo Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Xiao Qi Ji will follow his mother while she walks around looking for bamboo, enrichment and other treats deposited their by keepers.

Recently he accompanied his mother on a tour of the moat at the front of the habitat. This zone is filled with greenery at the front of the habitat.

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Keepers say this excursion seemed to provide a major boost to his confidence and he has started to explore even more of the habitat on his own.

One of these adventures was to explore the climbing structure under his favorite hammock where he often enjoys a nap. He has also used the logs as a pathway to help reach the top of the grotto.

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji explores outside in his habitat at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Photo Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

A typical day for the pampered cub sees him spend the first hour and a half of his day playing before turning in for his first nap of the day at 9 or 9.30am. This means he is active and awake the most from 7.30 till 9.30am.

You can check out his adventures on the zoo’s LIVE panda cam here – Giant Panda Cam | Smithsonian’s National Zoo