The reproduction rate of giant pandas is relatively low. Because giant panda mothers usually need one and a half to two years to take care of their children. Giant pandas do not reproduce during their infancy, so they usually give birth every other year. Not only are giant pandas like this, but many other animals are also like this, such as elephants and tigers. This year and a half is very important in the life of giant pandas. Giant panda cubs can learn a lot from their mothers, such as how to find food and water, how to avoid predators, how to resist diseases, how to talk about love, have children, and how to become a true giant panda. This is almost the only time in a giant panda's life that they spend a long time together with another giant panda, and it is also almost the only learning opportunity.
The pregnancy period of giant pandas is over 83-200 days, and there are even special cases of 324 days. The baby is usually born from July to September, and the nest where it is born is usually a hidden tree hole or a natural rock cave, which contains branches and hay carefully laid by the mother panda.
The most unique aspect of giant panda breeding is that its newborns are quite immature at birth. In the first few weeks of a giant panda's birth, the mother will always hold the baby in her arms, warm it, protect it, and almost never leave, holding it in her mouth when moving. At this point, captive and wild giant pandas are the same. During the breeding period of giant pandas, the call of the cub is a crucial communication tool for communication between the mother and cub. If the cub wants to breastfeed, defecate, experience discomfort from cold or overheating, or other reasons, the cub reminds the mother to meet their different needs through different calls. Due to the newborn's lack of the ability to urinate and defecate autonomously, mother pandas will use their tongue to lick the newborn's perineum, effectively stimulating their bowel movements.
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for giant panda babies, especially colostrum. In addition to abundant essential nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins, and various enzymes, it also contains a large number of artificially synthesized antibodies, helping babies effectively resist various diseases and promoting the development of their immune system.
In the wild, if twins are born (nearly 50% of giant pandas in captivity have twins), giant panda mothers usually ignore or reject the weaker one, which ensures that at least one will survive. In captivity, both babies will have the opportunity to breastfeed and learn behavioral skills from their mothers through artificial breeding and the use of cub replacement technology, in order to ensure that all giant panda cubs can survive as much as possible.
The growth and development stages of giant pandas:
·Childhood: One and a half years ago is the infancy stage.
·Just born: The weight of the newborn cub is only 1% of the mother's weight, with an average weight of only about 120 grams. The lightest one is 42.8 grams, and the heaviest one is 225 grams. The pink skin has white hair, the eyes and ears are not yet fully developed, and the immune system is not yet fully developed.
·One to two weeks: The shoulder straps, limbs, and ears gradually turn black.
·One month: Weight 1-2 kilograms. Growing black and white fur, becoming more like a mother. But I can't walk yet.
·Six to eight weeks: You can open your eyes.
·Three months: I can slowly crawl.
·Half a year old: Able to walk freely and start learning to eat bamboo.
·One year old: begins to grow permanent teeth.
