Xiao Qi Ji the Giant Panda Tries Sweet Potato

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: January 24, 2021 10:30 am

Xiao Qi Ji the giant panda cub has his first taste of sweet potato

Photo Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Xiao Qi Ji the giant panda from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo has shown off his curious side once again this week as he tried out something new. The curious cub was introduced to cooked sweet potato.

Using a bamboo shred as a spoon some cooked sweet potato was scraped on to the end and then handed to Xiao Qi Ji. He grabbed the bamboo, paused to take a taste and before long was laying back licking it all up. As he was offered more he wouldn’t stop nibbling.

A gentoo penguin chick with its parent at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Photo Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

The cub follows in the paw steps of parents Mei Xiang and Tian Tian who are both fond of sweet potato. This makes up part of the balanced diet for the giant pandas at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo who also enjoy bamboo, leaf-eater biscuits, carrots and apples.

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While Xiao Qi Ji has started to sample some solid foods he is still relying on mom’s milk as his main source of nutrition. He will be one year old before solid foods are the majority of his diet but he may continue to nurse for 18 months.

At this week’s weigh-in the cub tipped the scales at 9.45kg (20.79lbs).

Xiao Qi Ji the giant panda cub tries some sweet potato

Photo Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Xiao Qi Ji is currently given access to the solid foods which his mom, Mei Xiang receives. Unfortunately mom is a pro at getting the food out of her puzzle feeders and often doesn’t leave much for the cub.

This week keeper’s introduced Xiao Qi Ji to a puzzle feeder too giving him a small red jolly ball. In coming weeks while Mei Xiang enjoys some along time outside Xiao Qi Ji will be given some fruit and softened leaf-eater biscuits which he can try.