Black and White and Pink All Over
Posted at 7:06 am December 2, 2005 by Suzanne Hall
Su Lin has a very thick, fuzzy coat of black and white fur to keep her warm. Some of you may have been lucky enough to see her when she is outside and visible on one of our color cameras. If so, you may have noticed a faint pink tinge to her coat. This is a trait she shares with her older siblings, and a phase all of Bai Yun’s cubs have gone through: being black and white and pink all over.
When I was in Wolong, I didn’t see cubs with this same color pattern. I now read that Tai Shan at the NZP is also showing signs of pink. What accounts for this difference?
We have our suspicions that the maternal diet is the key. In San Diego, we feed our bears leaf eater biscuits, filled with vitamins and minerals to ensure the animals’ health. Many visitors to our facility have seen these biscuits in the exhibits, as their red coloration makes them hard to miss. Some other zoos in the U.S. also feed these biscuits to their animals. In Wolong, however, they bake a special bread for their pandas that is yellowish brown in coloration.
It is likely that the coloration in the biscuits is contributing to the pinkness observed in the coats of Bai Yun’s cubs. We suspect that the coloration is not passing through the maternal milk; rather, Bai Yun is covering the cub with pink when she licks and grooms her.
Su Lin will grow out of her pink coat before too long. She is less likely to sit still for long grooming sessions as she ages. If the pink chemicals are in fact passing through the milk, this too will have less of an influence over time as Su Lin begins to incorporate bamboo into her diet and therefore nurses less. Soon, her coat will appear only black and white.
Suzanne Hall is the panda research technican for the San Diego Zoo’s Office of Giant Panda Conservation.
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December 2nd, 2005 at 7:28 am
Black, White, Pink. . . It’s all good! I had a feeling it had someting to do with those leaf eater biscuits, because it sure isn’t the bamboo. We’ll take our little darlings any color at all. Thanks for the explanation, Suzanne. – Here’s something I’ve been wondering but never see anything on – Do the pandas ever get bothered by fleas and ticks or are they treated somehow to repel them? (or are their living areas treated) I see them scratching alot sometimes and I know that here in NY we have awful tick/flea seasons, it’s a fight we wage all summer long and sometimes into the early winter months.
December 2nd, 2005 at 8:14 am
Su Lin is truly an ambassador for SDZ as is Tai for the National Zoo. Zoos were a sad place as I remembered them from my childhood and I would never consider visiting one as an adult. Seeing the panda births in the news led me to both zoos’ websites, the panda cams and then to other pictures and information about your animals and facilities. Now I see that your places are wonderful and caring and look forward to visiting both! I have also become a zoo member in order to support all the great work you do.
This is all because of the Pandas!!!!!! They charmed me and brought me in!!!!
December 2nd, 2005 at 8:22 am
I just noticed something while watching the webcam. See how far apart Gao Gao’s ears are and how much of his round head is in between? You can definitely tell him apart from Mei Sheng because his ears are much closer together. That Daddy sure has a big head!
December 2nd, 2005 at 8:23 am
Is the coloration in biscuits some sort of food additive, just like the artificial color we use for human food?
December 2nd, 2005 at 8:27 am
Thank you, Suzanne, for including us in the ” pink” inquiry. How fascinating it is to realize how much we still don’t know.
Your Weblog entries and Friday camera work are always a welcome addition to our pandamaniac experience!
December 2nd, 2005 at 8:45 am
Black and white and pink all over – my favorite colors. Knowing that the pink coloration can be due to a loving mother grooming her cub is adorable.
December 2nd, 2005 at 8:59 am
Welcome Back, Suzanne! I’ve been waiting for you for two weeks. Thanks for the interesting information about the coloration of cubs. Actually I doubted it earlier as well, though NZ said it’s due to the iron compounds in the saliva of Mei Xiang.
What a good view of Gao Gao and Mei Sheng! Gao Gao is such a handsome guy. Although he is an adult panda, do you guys notice that he still has a baby face?
Mei Sheng is such an adorable boy! By the way, I’m a Chinese pandamaniac who even studied in the US for 2 years for an MBA degree. Now I’m in China, and still attached to the panda cams in the other part of the earth.:)
Some friends have asked for updates for Shi Shi. I remember I even read some news about him in a Chinese newspaper. He is now 26 years old and living in Guangzhou Zoo. Although he suffers from a few diseases due to his old age, he is very well taken care of by the zoo staff and many panda fans. So please don’t worry. I’m quite sure that Shi Shi will spend the rest of his life very happily! Love you all, Suzanne and my fellow pandamaniacs!
December 2nd, 2005 at 9:09 am
What a heart warming site this morning when I opened my Panda Cam. Su Lin and Bai Yun, nose to nose with arms wrapped around each other, sound asleep. That image will stay with me all day. It’s a beautiful thing.
December 2nd, 2005 at 9:19 am
Su Lin is as cute as ever! Thank you for the update:) The staff at the SDZ have and are doing such a great job taking care of all the animals not just the pandas! Just wanted to let you know that we appreciate all of you very, very much!
December 2nd, 2005 at 9:31 am
Holly (#1),
The pandas are not really bothered by pests such as fleas. In many places their coat is so thick that there probably isn’t much air flow at the skin surface, so fleas may not be able to survive in their fur. In any case, we don’t treat the panda bedrooms routinely for such pests.
December 2nd, 2005 at 9:55 am
One of the most wonderful things about being a San Diego Zoo member is being able to watch the development of Su Lin and interactions with her mother. I work at The Living Desert over in Palm Desert and Su Lin has quite a few devoted fans here. She is such a pleasure to watch and I have this almost uncontrollable urge to cuddle her! Thank you, San Diego Zoo, for having the Panda Cam for us to watch!
Anne
December 2nd, 2005 at 9:59 am
Again thank you for keeping us up to date on these special bears. I do enjoy seeing them every day. It was interesting to hear your theory on why she is pink.
December 2nd, 2005 at 10:06 am
Black, white, pink, purple – whatever the color, it works for me – she is absolutely adorable!! Can hardly wait to see her scampering around trees and rocks! Keep up the good work!! Hugs and kisses to my two favorite pandas!
December 2nd, 2005 at 10:23 am
I am constantly in awe of the love between mother and child. How wonderful it would be if during this beautiful holiday season that we all remember what love is really all about.
Happy Holidays.
Dianna
December 2nd, 2005 at 10:24 am
Thank you, Suzanne, for your good camera work. It was a pleasure to see all of the pandas this morning. They seem very content and well-cared for. I enjoyed watching Bai Yun wash and play with Su Lin Thursday evening. What a great mom! Hopefully, Sue Lin will remember and do the same for her cubs.
Thanks, also, to #7 in China for the information about Shi Shi. This is really a world Panda Club! I can’t wait until April in China when I will see the pandas in China on the SDZ tour. (Maybe some of us can share what we see when we return.)
Editor’s note: A second departure date has been added to the San Diego Zoo’s http://www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar/wwt_china_2006.html” >WorldWild Tours trip to China.
December 2nd, 2005 at 10:53 am
I noticed that Su Lin gets (is permitted?) only periodic visits from her Mom, while at the Washington National Zoo, Mei Shiang appears to have full access to Tai Shan (her cub). Would you please talk about what is going on, perhaps about panda socialization, or SDZ policy? Thanks!
December 2nd, 2005 at 11:27 am
Jonathan (#16),
Bai Yun has continual access to her cub, except for brief moments when a keeper needs to access an area between them. What you are seeing is a difference in maternal style. Bai Yun is very comfortable being away from her cub and makes the choice to visit her infrequently.
December 2nd, 2005 at 12:07 pm
Thanks Suzanne, and others, for the update on Shi Shi. I just figured that since we get occasional updates on Hua Mei that it wouldn’t be so hard to find out about Shi Shi. Sorry if I sounded pushy. It’s good to hear he is doing ok for his age. I remember watching poor Hsing Hsing (D.C.) when he got up there in age. With his age and the cancer, he looked like one tired bear. But on his 25th anniversary (despite the cancer) he rolled down his hill and looked like a young boy having fun. I love watching these 2 babies and the new life they will bring to their current zoo homes. Thanks for sharing.
December 2nd, 2005 at 12:08 pm
I couldn’t believe it when Su Lin flipped out of the den just a little while ago. I thought maybe she’d stay out for a bit longer, though. Also, the threshold from the inner habitat to the outside looks like it has a pretty daunting step up for a little cub. Thanks for all the great views.
December 2nd, 2005 at 1:19 pm
I’ve noticed the pink and the pink on Tai Shan. At least ” our” panda is a girl.
I assumed it was something to do with the milk since it seems pretty evenly colored.
And greetings to all fellow pandamaniacs!
December 2nd, 2005 at 2:33 pm
A day without a new panda weblog is like a day without sunshine.
I got to see some nice interaction between Bai Yun & Su Lin late last night. And some great pictures of Mei Sheng this morning before I had to turn my attention back to work. Thanks, Suzanne, you have been missed.
Doesn’t everyone wish we could arrange for a play date with Su Lin & Tai Shan in a few months. And of course we would all want to be there in person. ….sigh
Sharon, Fort Worth
December 2nd, 2005 at 2:41 pm
#7 Thank you so much for the update on Shi Shi. I love that old gentleman. I always worried about him because he never really looked like he enjoyed life very much. I will never get to see pandas for real, but that is probably for the best – I would be tempted to get in with them and kiss and hug them til the police arrived.
December 2nd, 2005 at 3:10 pm
Hello, I have enjoyed watching sleepy Su Lin and Tai the tank since I had my third graders participte in the naming of both pandas. I call her sleepy because she’s always asleep when I get to see her. I am anxious to see her climb like her cousin Tai, who has a good time exploring his world ( I think I read they have the same grandpa Pan Pan). Watching these wonderful animals on the live cam makes my class and I excited. It is a good learning opportunity for school children.
December 2nd, 2005 at 3:18 pm
This morning , while Su Lin was snuggling with Bai Yun, Tai Shan was investigating a cardboard box. When he stepped on the edge, it came up and attacked him. He barked and scurried away.
We’ve all seen images of bears cuddling their cubs on calendars, greeting cards and commercials. Until discovering the panda cams, I thought those images were artistic wishes. A large dose of panda reality is such a joy. I’m so happy the SDZ Panda Team is willing to share.
December 2nd, 2005 at 4:58 pm
So that’s why our little darlins’ fur is ‘tinted’!
So cute…and I totally agree with #6 – knowing that the pink is due to mommy’s TLC is wonderful. Saw Bai Yun cuddle with Su Lin lots today and it was very sweet.
I watched Tai’s rendezvous with the box today too! #24 your description is so vivid.
I also watched as Tai discovered the kong, a large rubber toy sometimes provided to dogs. He kept trying to pounce on it!! But when he did, his paws always slipped under him and he looked like he was trying to cover the thing with a belly flop. And when it rolled out from under him, he gave a surprised bark, stood up on his stubby hind legs and tried to ‘ambush’ it again! Then he just went wild and started pouncing at nothing in particular. God forbid I almost cooed out loud at work… So in love with our two lovely little ones…
December 2nd, 2005 at 4:59 pm
Please, could you fix the camera it’s so dark I can’t see our sweetie in the den… Thanks so much!
December 2nd, 2005 at 7:29 pm
Although pandas are solitary animals, the cubs welcome playmates. Now when Tai Shan sees his keeper standing in the entrance of the den, he lunges forward to the keeper and quickly follows her whenever she goes; when Mei Sheng was a cub, he liked to lean on his keeper and bite the keeper’s arm for fun when he was having his health exam.
December 2nd, 2005 at 8:00 pm
You gorgeous black and white furballs enrapture us, and we cherish you as the gifts of God that you are. We relish watching you grow and thrive and, quite obviously, love and nurture each other. (My SO Jim and I watched Bai Yun sitting in her tree, loudly cracking bamboo, and baby Mei Sheng sound asleep way up in the branches a couple years ago, up close at your zoo…..tears came to my eyes because they were so beautiful.) I donate to CRES, and only wish I lived closer, but the cam is a great way to satisfy my panda cravings from St. Louis, LOL. Thank you, San Diego Zoo!
December 2nd, 2005 at 8:28 pm
Su Lin has a pink coat but at least she seems not to have very very furry feet like her Dad Gao Gao. Good news since she’s a girl !
December 2nd, 2005 at 9:14 pm
Ah, yes…Bubba the Fearless and The Attack of the Cardboard Box. I’m still laughing. Can’t wait until the Princess begins similar adventures. She is starting to play-bite with Bai Yun, so I’m betting that she’ll spend more time awake and we’ll begin to see a lot more playing and exploring soon. I’m also betting, though, that she’s going to be more of a little girl cuddle-bear than cousin Tai, who’s just soooo much of a GUY….!
December 2nd, 2005 at 10:05 pm
I just had to check up on the cutest baby in the SDZ before I can sleep. She is growing so fast and soon she will be up and truly exploring her world, just like her cousin,Tai.
Thanks for the updates.
December 3rd, 2005 at 5:25 am
What a peaceful morning, 8:00 in the east cost and 5:00 in the west, Both Mei and Tai and Bai Yun and Su Lin asleep in their dens next to each other. All is right in Panda World, It just doesn’t get any better than this. I have both images side by side on my computer screen, I think I can face the day, a smile on my face with this peaceful image in my mind.
December 3rd, 2005 at 7:16 am
Thank you #7 for the update on Shi Shi. It warms my heart to hear that Shi Shi is loved and doing well. I have fond memories of Shi Shi. I remember in 1999, a panda keeper told me Shi Shi is a sweet natured panda and enjoys having his back scratched. I wish him many more happy years.
December 3rd, 2005 at 7:55 am
Have you seen the footage on the news of the 16 (?) panda cubs at Wolong? I now know there IS a heaven on earth!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2005 at 1:24 pm
I have just found out that Gao’s former mate (Guo Guo) gave birth to twins a day Before Mei Xiang( NZP) Gave birth to Tai Shan in Washington.Thanks for the link team:).
December 3rd, 2005 at 5:30 pm
It’s interesting to see the different mothering styles of Bai Yun and Mei Xiang. I think Bai Yun was more like Mei when she was a first-time mother. Now it seems that Bai Yun is much more relaxed with her baby and doesn’t have to be with her all the time like Mei seems to be. Late the other night I looked in on Mei and Tai. (About 1:30 EST) They were playing so cute, and Tai showed his mother a new trick he has learned – standing on his head. He started to fall to one side, and Mei held him up with her paws at his side so he could complete his headstand. It was just TOO cute!!
December 3rd, 2005 at 5:49 pm
That is very lucky when you have new baby panda. Now in Thailand we try to do the same. Both pandas in Thailand Choung-Choung male and Lin Hue female will be mating. Soon we will have a new panda in Thailand.
Thanks!
December 3rd, 2005 at 7:33 pm
Wouldn’t it be a great idea to give zoo members a sneak peek at Su Lin at the December 10 ” Early Hours with a Keeper” if this can be done safely? She is close to being ready for her public debut anyway…..
December 3rd, 2005 at 8:08 pm
Can someone turn the lights on in the den?
December 3rd, 2005 at 11:45 pm
well, Su Lin is a baby girl panda… it’s kinda cute that she’s black, white and pink. ^___^
December 4th, 2005 at 10:05 am
About #34. I saw that movie too!! This is amazing.
December 4th, 2005 at 10:15 am
Hiya Everyone,
Wow, sugar and spice and all things nice !! Our Su Lin is all of these things and it is showing in her beautiful coat now. Suzanne, apart from the grooming that is going on when Mum licks baby’s fur, is it also a soothing procedure? Su Lin looks as though she is sometimes in a state of ectasy when it is happening.
Thanks once again for all you do for the pandas in your care and for allowing us to share.
Valerie Warburton – UK.
December 4th, 2005 at 10:34 am
Hello Team and all readers:
Isn’t life wonderful? Yes, it is if only to see our little girl and mom. I haven’t been feeling well and one day I went on the site and immediately felt better. Why you ask? Well it’s because I honed in on a precious quiet moment of Su Lin and her mom napping. So adorable and sweet! I’ve also seen Su walking more in the den. I can’t wait to see her outside more and her ” coming out” party. Oh you lucky people in San Diego. It is true, getting back to feeling better looking at our girls. It’s true. I started feeling better and after I shut down the computer I became stronger. Thank you San Diego for enabling us to feel better when sick while visiting our pride via Panda Cam. I am grateful. Keep up the wonderful work.
Thank you,
Suzy
Editor’s note: We’re glad you’re feeling better, Suzy!
December 4th, 2005 at 1:36 pm
When Su Lin sits in the door of the den, is she looking out at her mother or the keepers? Sometimes Bai Yun sits with her. Are they just sitting together or are there SDZ staff who are outside doing something that interests them? I’ve been wondering about this and thought I’d ask.
We all seem to enjoy the postings from Suzanne and the other staff members. Thanks for providing them for the Panda Fans across the world! (It’s nice to see people identify where they live.)
December 4th, 2005 at 9:00 pm
I was delighted to read in Parade Magazine, of the Sunday edition of The San Diego Union-Tribune, a marvelous story ” Help Save A Panda’s Life.” The article covered the research and conservation programs of the giant pandas here in the U.S. and in China. There were precious pictures of Bai Yun with Hua Mei, Mei Sheng and Su Lin (with staff during an exam). The author included information about the World Wildlife Fund’s Panda Adoption program. As a long-time member of the Zoological Society of the SDZ, I would like to think that a portion of my small contributions have helped the Giant Panda Reserch Center also.
December 5th, 2005 at 6:30 am
Hello again,
O M goodness, it is now 6.20 am your time, and 2.20 pm my time. I have been watching Su Lin having a battle royal with what I assume is a piece of bamboo. She is lying on it, rolling over it, putting her paw on it, every way she can to assure herself that this ” thing” that is in her space is not getting away. I noticed – or I think I did – that she is nibbling at it too. She is fighting this battle, and she will win the war of the bamboo stick. I have tears of laughter coming down my face. Well, she has certainly turned a dull, rainy day here in my part of the UK into a day full of sunshine.
Valerie Warburton – UK.
December 5th, 2005 at 9:46 am
Mei Sheng is such a handsome dude!!! Suzanne, can you folks still approach him face to face without any barrier? Wishing them all a wonderful life…
December 5th, 2005 at 10:04 am
I thought you had moved Bai Yun into Mei Sheng’s enclosure this morning. He is looking so much like his mom. Does he still just weigh 150 pounds?
December 5th, 2005 at 11:07 am
I can remember watching Hua Mei when she was just learning to walk. Bai Yun decided to take her outside one day, and every time they went out, Hua Mei got scared and would cry. Bai Yun carried her in and out of the den 16 times that day, and finally ended up sitting in the den doorway with Hua Mei in her lap — facing the outside. I suppose she was trying to show Hua Mei that there was nothing to be afraid of outside. It was really a sweet moment between mom and baby.
December 5th, 2005 at 11:48 am
Ellen #45 I also read the article with great excitement in the Parade magazine-I had been wondering if anyone else had seen it. Even though I am in NY I feel quite a connection to all ” our” bears in SD!
December 5th, 2005 at 12:45 pm
Betty # 49, that is so touching! But when Hua Mei found the great fun outside, she went wild. One day, she ventured out of the den on her own. Bai Yun was already asleep, but she rushed out and nuzzled her! Thinking of panda mom and baby in such cold winter days really warms up my heart!
December 5th, 2005 at 1:55 pm
I just checked one of our local Orlando TV station’s websites and found a panda slideshow from Wolong. My youngest son was one of the winners of the NZ Pennies for Pandas contest and WESH-TV is covering it. Look for the story on national TV news on Thursday – we get to go to DC to meet Tai Shan and his mom!
Editor’s note: Congratulations, Ellen and son!!
December 5th, 2005 at 2:19 pm
Rita (#48),
You weren’t hallucinating! That was Bai Yun in Mei Sheng’s old digs. Over the next few days we will be testing her interest in that enclosure to determine if she is comfortable enough to be on exhibit routinely soon. Keep watching, and we’ll keep you posted!
December 5th, 2005 at 3:10 pm
I found this comment on one of the previous blog entries and thought it may be missed due to the new entry. I find it wonderful that we in the US have a link with the rest of the world due to our wonderful Panda friends. Su Lin and Tai Shan truly are ambassadors of peace and friendship. Amazing considering they are only a few months old! I thank God every day that He has brought such beauty into the world such as our panda babies.
” When Bai Yun was sent to the U.S. I was a graduate student in Beijing University. A professor and Wolong staff gave a lecture on pandas and mentioned Bai Yun going to the U.S. He said Bai Yun was the sweetheart among Wolong staff, very playful, healthy and adorable. ” They got our best kid,†he said. Now she grows up as the best mom and grandma!”
(Comment by Yuantai — Sunday December 4, 2005 @ 4:29 pm)
December 5th, 2005 at 6:31 pm
What a pity I missed Tai Shan’s show of headstand and he played with a plastic ball ! Thank you SDZ for having a time-lapse video cam , I won’t miss any precious moments of Su Lin , you are absolutely pandamaniacs friendly.
December 5th, 2005 at 10:16 pm
I got to see Mei Sheng and Gao Gao over the weekend! they were both wonderful! We got to the zoo right when it opened and ran straight to Panda Canyon
Gao Gao was munching away on his bamboo while Mei Sheng was asleep on top of that rock in his exhibit pen:)
Mei Sheng was really active toward the end of the day just when the staff was about to let him back in for the night
We spent a total of about 2 hours with them! we’d go see the other animals and then would be back to see Mei Sheng and his Pa:)
I can’t wait to see Su Lin and Bai Yun!
Thank you SDZ staff for doing such a great job taking care of our wonderful Pandas!
December 6th, 2005 at 3:21 am
Hi, I’m a newcomer to this blog…but have been following the development of both Su Lin and Tai Shan for weeks. Thank you SDZ’s panda team and people from other zoos and organisations for your efforts to save such beautiful animals.
To #50: Congratulations Ellen and Jonathan (got his name from NZ’s site). Have a wonderful trip. Hope you will share your experiences of the visit to Tai Shan with us.
Thanks to Ellen (#50), I saw the video of the 16 baby pandas in Wolong Panda Breeding Centre. They are so adorable. It seems that there are around 25 panda cubs born in 2005. I hear people talking about baby boom. Sure, it’s a baby boom given there are only 1600 pandas left. We have a long way to go…giant pandas could disappear from the surface of the earth well before 2050.
Cecile
May 18th, 2006 at 12:52 pm
I think she is so cute. Her name really suits her. I can’t belive all the fans you have. I’m #58.
Well you are prescious.
Love you,
Lauren Johnson