Xiao Qi Ji the Giant Panda Cub Loves to Play!

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: January 16, 2021 10:05 am

Xiao Qi Ji the giant panda cub climbs some rocks at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Photo Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

In our weekly catch up with Xiao Qi Ji the giant panda cub keepers report that the now 4.5 month old cub loves to play. He has been showing an increased interest in his surroundings and is also nibbling everything in sight be that his paws, enrichment toys or even his mothers ears.

Mei Xiang has taken to going outside in the morning leaving Xiao Qi Ji inside where he often “supervises” the keepers while they are cleaning the habitat and getting it ready for mom, Mei Xiang to come back inside.

Xiao Qi Ji the giant panda cub plays with a hockey puck

Photo Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

In recent weeks Xiao Qi Ji has been given his first enrichment toys and he can now be seen playing with these often. He has also been playing in a rubber tub similar to the one he is weighed in. Currently he is not able to get himself out from underneath a tub if it tips over so he can only play with these while keepers are present.

Another favorite enrichment items for the adults is adding spices to their toys or sprinkling them around the yard. Keepers have also noted that the pandas like when mesh is put on their paws and they can rub this over themselves. Keepers are excited to see if Xiao Qi Ji loves these scents when he is older.

During this weeks weigh in the now, not so little cub weighed in at 9kg (19.8lbs).

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While mom, Mei Xiang will not in to estrus this year Xiao Qi’s father, Tian Tian is currently in the middle of his breeding season known as the rut. As such he has been active climbing treats and splashing around in his pools.

The giant panda team from the Smithsonian National Zoo will be hosting a behind the scenes look at their panda house through an online livestream. It will also include answers to some frequently asked questions and close up encounters with the cub.

You can watch the stream live at 1pm on January 27th (Washington DC) time or if you can’t watch live it will be posted online after. To watch it after go here – Giant Panda Livestream