Why Black and White?
Posted at 2:16 pm February 22, 2006 by Ellie Rosenbaum
The subject of the giant panda’s color has come up repeatedly in the viewing area of the San Diego Zoo’s Giant Panda Research Station over the last week in two forms: “Why are pandas black and white?” and “Why aren’t pandas black and white?”
Sounds strange, but guests are asking about two different things. It could be that the animals’ distinctive coloration may help these normally solitary animals identify each other as they meet for breeding season. It may be the size of a panda and sound like a panda, but is it really a panda? One look at that graphic coloration and the animal could be sure.
Another idea is that the broad blockings of contrasting color may serve to camouflage the panda in the bamboo or treetops. Anyone who’s tried to spot one of our panda cubs up in the tree napping can verify how difficult that can be! Scientists have yet to confirm what the real purpose of the panda’s coloration is.
But animals that walk, sit, and roll in the dirt don’t stay a pure black and white. Since pandas do not naturally groom or bathe, we don’t wash our pandas, so they can look a bit grubby compared to the pristine pandas you see in magazines or books. But photo pandas have the benefit of retouching or editing. Real pandas have bits of dirt or leaves clinging to their thick coarse coats and, over time, their rear ends become stained from sitting on the ground, eating their bamboo.
There is also a rare brown and white variation of the giant panda. This unusual color form might be the result of that panda having two recessive genes for the color. When an animal has only one recessive gene, its expression is masked or hidden by the other, dominant gene for black.
Thinking about black and white led me to look around the Zoo and start asking animal-minded people about other black-and-white land species. When you think about it, there are surprisingly few: zebras, of course, and Angolan colobus monkeys, black and white ruffed lemurs, and Malayan tapirs. Among birds, the Bali mynah is purely black and white, but the black-necked swan has red on its’ beak. Many penguin species have streaks or flashes of color on their faces. I’ve learned that there’s a black-and-white Amazon milky tree frog to represent the amphibians; the Boelen’s python and some California king snake forms are about it for snakes.
With a color combination that is comparatively rare, it seems pretty amazing that it appears on an animal so beloved by so many around the world.
Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator/educator at the San Diego Zoo.
For more information about panda coloration, read Megan Owen’s post, Black and White.
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February 22nd, 2006 at 2:26 pm
Although one won’t see this black and white animal in a zoo, let’s not forget the Dalmation dog! My best friend, who has two Dalmations, also loves pandas.
February 22nd, 2006 at 3:31 pm
Love the glamour shot of Bai Yun! Thanks for the coloration information.
February 22nd, 2006 at 3:36 pm
In my area (New England), there are black and white cows called ” Belties.” They are black cows with big white stripes around their middles. And there is a whole class of domestic cats called ” Tuxedo” because they are solely black and white. I have two.
February 22nd, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Isn’t the female panda suggested for Taiwan reputed to be the rarer brownish/white panda? This wasn’t apparent to me in the few pictures I saw, but her original name means ” chit of a girl,” and I read in several places that she was considered less refined and beautiful by the Chinese for this reason. At first, they even tried to disuade Hua Mei’s son from taking to her, but their attachment was so strong that she eventually won out, winning his heart! I know the brown/white panda has been given its own Latin species name, so it’s definitely not identical to our beloved black/white pandas. Does anyone know more about this?
February 22nd, 2006 at 6:19 pm
Hi Ellie. Thanks for a very informative blog. But what about the South American giant anteaters, the ones on Elephant Mesa? I guess maybe the bit of gray on them may disqualify them. But as a bonus, each time I see them I see the black and white markings on their front legs, which remind me so much of a young panda! Black and white, with a black marking for an eyepatch or maybe an ear!
Keep warm!!
February 23rd, 2006 at 12:21 am
The rarity of black and white coloring may be one of the very reasons we care for our beloved pandas so much. We do not see this coloring often, so we are amazed by it each time it appears again. In the land of the dark-haired, the blond is the rare and fascinating creature. Lumps of coal can be easily found, but the relatively rare and glittering diamond is valuable among minerals. Every time I see a panda, I am still awe-struck by its beauty and uniqueness.
February 23rd, 2006 at 6:08 am
My Meekah is black and white! She’s 6 months old and I call her my ‘widdle panda kittie’ coz she’s black and white and black and white. It just kind of rolls off your tongue, doesn’t it? . . . black and white and black and white!
February 23rd, 2006 at 6:35 am
Omigosh! It’s 6:30 AM SD time, and I’ve just seen the highest panda activity level I’ve ever seen in Bai and Su’s yard! I tuned in about 10 minutes ago to witness Bai rushing around the yard, followed by Su in a literal run! Su climbed the tree, while Bai continued to hurry around; then Su came down from the tree to follow Momma around some more. It’s still going on 10 minutes later! There is a huge pile of bamboo next to the lair, so they’re not in pursuit of food. I’m so used to tuning in and seeing the little ball of fluff in the tree and Bai Yun parked amidst her bamboo! What accounts for this tremendous level of activity?! What fun to watch!
February 23rd, 2006 at 8:27 am
And we mustn’t forget SeaWorld’s own Shamu! Although shades of gray can be seen in some of those magnificent whales, I’d still put Shamu on the B&W list. Thanks for bringing this fun subject up.
February 23rd, 2006 at 10:38 am
Do you have a picture of a brown and white panda that you could post?
Editor’s note: No–sorry!
February 23rd, 2006 at 11:39 am
I missed Bai Yun’s and Su Lin’s activity this morning. I wish that I could have seen that since it’s hard to see Su Lin when she’s residing in her favorite tree. But with regard to others who asked about the brown and white pandas, you will be able to find a picture of one if you run an internet search of the names ” Dan Dan” and ” Qin Qin.” The more I learn about pandas, I love them even more.
February 23rd, 2006 at 11:43 am
I have a question. Is there any reason why Bai Yun and Mei Xiang sit with their backs to the camera when they eat during the day? But later in the evening or at night after the workers and visitors go home, it appears that they face the cameras.
February 23rd, 2006 at 11:56 am
Wouldn’t anyone cite the black and white skunk? I think they’re cute, but perhaps most people try to erase them from their consciousness. And of course, there’s my long stringy white bodied himalayan rabbits with the black tips (Well, I guess in this case, they were just bred that way).
February 23rd, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Christine #8 – Su Lin was late for school! Mom was hurrying her up to get her out the door!
February 23rd, 2006 at 12:11 pm
Can we please have an update on Su Lin’s weight and her checkup. I know it is hard to get her in there now but it would be so nice to know how big she really is getting. We can see how active she is
Editor’s note: Keepers rarely get the opportunity to bring Su Lin for measurements these days, but they were able to do so on February 16: Su Lin weighed 22.3 pounds (10.1 kilograms) and was 33.8 inches (86 centimeters) long.
February 23rd, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Hello,
Its 12:24 Thursday Feb 23 2006. The Pandacam is on C4 and one of the pandas is Seriously pacing! My understanding is that is Not a good sign. Please help it!!
Thank you for your prompt attention to the wonder that is this Panda!
Best Regards,
Kerry
February 23rd, 2006 at 12:52 pm
#11, Laylah: What a beautiful name you have! Thank you for the search suggestions for the qinling pandas. I didn’t find a picture, but I did find an article in French telling that Qin Qin, the brown-and-white offspring of similarly-colored Dan Dan, who recently died, and Wan Wan, a black-and-white panda, is seeking a wife! The article states that he’s no longer young at 17 and researchers are desperate to ensure that he has descendents, even if it means sending his sperm worldwide to distant females. I’m going to keep searching for photos–’know I saw one somewhere a few weeks ago–but for now, I hope that Chapultepec is listening to this announcement! They have the females, and all they would need do is send for the frozen sperm! I have no idea whether the experts recommend the inter-breeding of the two sub-species, but with no more qinling pandas in captivity and so very few of either species left in the world, it would almost seem better to make use of the aging Chapultepec girls before it’s too late and ensure that at least one more panda is added to ensure both the quinling sub-species and its endangered black-and-white cousin.
February 23rd, 2006 at 1:04 pm
PS: Who is the cutie standing by the tree in the photo accompanying Ellie’s blog? Is this Gao Gao?
Editor’s note: That’s Bai Yun.
February 23rd, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Hello Again,
THANK YOU!! Panda is Happy now!!
You are Great!!
Best Regards,
Kerry
February 23rd, 2006 at 1:35 pm
#14, Michelle: How adorable! You’re exactly right–it was just like that! And once Su had disappeared above the cam line, Bai went right on running around! I don’t know about you other moms, but I often find myself still in ” high gear” long after I’ve dropped my daughter off and the rush is over!
February 23rd, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Su Lin is 22 lbs.. that little girl is growing fast.. I am watching her play while her mom sleeps.. so cute!!
February 23rd, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Reading this blog is almost as much fun as seeing the pandas. (;) I saw Tai in his tree yesterday when his mom came to get him. He actually climbed down and came to her! I guess it depends on the mood the cub is in, whether it is hungry or not, or what is happening at the moment… just like human kids.
February 23rd, 2006 at 4:57 pm
I was wondering who eats more bamboo, Bai Yun or Gao Gao? I noticed that Bai Yun usually likes to tear through her bamboo quickly while Gao Gao eats slowly and seems to savor each bite. All the pandas are fun to watch and their different habits are so endearing.
Thank you.
February 23rd, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Re #10, #11, #17, Regarding the brown panda bear Dan dan. She was found at the Foping Nature Reserve in China dehydrated and was captured and taken to the Xi’an Zoo to live where she died in 2000. I too saw the stuffed picture of her at the Memphis Zoo website and wanted to find out more information. I wrote to Foping asking if they had more information on Dan dan and they were kind enough to send me a couple of pictures of her when she was alive. One is with another black & white panda and looks like it might be X rated (LOL), but it really shows how her fur is really brown compared to the black & white panda. The other picture I have is a nice one of her in winter with snow. The person who emailed me suggested that I search for articles about her in the library since many were written about her when she was alive. I’m assuming the articles are in Chinese so I never tried to find any since I can’t read Chinese, but if any of you can it might be worth a try to see if you can find articles about Dan dan. I think that there were a few brown & white pandas spotted in the wild at the Foping Nature Reserve too. I think Dan dan had at least one cub, but I don’t know what happened to it.
I too remember reading somewhere that the girl that was going to China was part brown & white panda, but I can’t remember where I read that.
February 23rd, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Qin Qin(17) is the only offspring of Dan Dan, the unique brown-and-white giant panda in the world. Although Qin Qin doesn’t inherit the brown-and-white property of his mother, those recessive genes still exist in his body. So his descendants have a high chance to be brown-and-white pandas.
Unfortunately, Mr. Dan Dan seems to be confortable being an eligible bachelor, enjoying his bamboo, enjoying his large playground, enjoying his BIG SLEEP. That makes the researchers mad.
February 23rd, 2006 at 10:35 pm
Thank you for the info re: black/white but I am so greatful for all the animals we have on earth – they give such pleasure and unconditional love – I am not a traditional religious person but the creation of all species must have been done by a master – every time I watch my cat playing or Su Lin having dinner with mom or Tai Shan climbing the little tree I realize how lucky we as humans really are to behold the wonders the world has given us – it is these times when I think color doesn’t matter so much, just the enjoyment of watching living things – enough soap box stuff – I continue to enjoy panda cam and watching the ” babies†grow up into big bears is very exciting, however I do wish they would stay small a bit longer – thank you zoo staff for keeping us up to date –I will continue watching and enjoy the kids – panda lover from Iowa
February 24th, 2006 at 6:39 am
Good morning all~ There is a picture of Dan Dan if you do a search for ” Panda Dan Dan” and then to the link: Life of Cancer Giant Panda Not In Danger: Experts. I had never heard nor seen a brown and white panda before and wish I had seen her when she was young and healthy.
February 24th, 2006 at 6:46 am
Thank you for the update, I know she is getting big now and going about her business.
February 24th, 2006 at 6:53 am
I found a picture of Dan Dan from a story on an English/Chinese site. If you type ” Life of Cancer Giant Panda Not In Danger” into Google, the site and story will come up. You can click on the pic for a larger view.
It’s funny, Dan Dan looks like she dyed her black fur with hair color or something.
Her brown fur looks the same as Asian hair that’s been dyed from black to brown, meaning it looks like a reddish-brown. She was one adorable bear…
February 24th, 2006 at 10:07 am
I like this blog so much. Not only do I get to read all the wonderful notes about pandas from our extremely caring experts at SDZ, but also I can view all the insightful information from fellow panda lovers. Last night I struggled to find a picture for Dan Dan, but today from the clues from 27 and 29, I found Dan Dan! You are all so wonderful. Thank you!
February 24th, 2006 at 11:38 am
Thank you all so much for the easy directions to the picture of Dan Dan! Wow! It’s such a shame that she died. I hope they did extensive research on her to determine how the qinling panda differs from its black-and-white cousins. Thank you too, #25, for explaining that Qin Qin is black and white; clearly my French isn’t as good as it once was if that was in the article and I missed it! This fact explains why Dan Dan was called the only brown-and-white panda in the world, and it also proves that the black-and-white coloring is the dominant gene. I feel so excited that there could be a possibility for Chapultepec’s Xin Xin! Is Chapultepec aware of this opportunity? I feel like a matchmaker trying to hook up potential pandas to make a cub not owned by China! This whole announcement for a female mate for Qin Qin seems completely tailor-made for the Mexican pandas! It’s not as if there are any other eligible female pandas out there without mates who aren’t owned by China! Is there anyone else out there who finds this a really exciting possibility?!!
February 24th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
I have not seen anything saying that the mate of Hua Mei’s son, who is scheduled to go to Taiwan, had a parent that was brown and white. Isn’t she the daughter of Wolong’s Lei Lei, who had only one front paw? I didn’t think Wolong had a brown & white panda–so where did the brown & white genes come from?
February 24th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
I agree with Kay #30. This is a great blog, such good information is shared. I too was looking for the picture of Dan Dan and found it today with the info. from Candy and A.Y. Thanks!
February 24th, 2006 at 8:33 pm
Hi everyone. Went to SDZ Monday. Got to see Su Lin, Bai Yun, and Gao Gao. It was so wonderful to see them in person. Su Lin was in the tree the whole time, mom was pacing, and Gao Gao was sitting with back to us and eating. You have to be very quiet when walking through. It is so hard to be quiet, because you want to talk to each of them. I now feel even closer to the pandas. All the workers there were so nice. Thanks to all the keepers. Areas were so clean and well kept just like they look on cam.
February 25th, 2006 at 11:01 am
When I read Megan Owen’s blog of Aug. 14, 2005, it seemed hard to believe that the tiny, tiny creature in the photo was the beautiful, high-climbing Su Lin. She’s really come a long way, thanks to the wonderfully loving care of Bai Yun and all the SDZ panda staff. And we’ve enjoyed every minute of her journey!
February 25th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Next to Giant Pandas, the black-and-white Orcas are my favorite animal. Isn’t the Dall Porpoise the black-and-white one that looks like a small Orca? I’ve seen them swimming with Blue Whales in the Santa Barbara Channel in Southern California. The Blue Whales feed on the krill that are here in the summertime. We could almost touch the whales as they swam alongside us! They were as wide and as long as the whale-watching boat and appeared to be as curious about us as we were about them.
It’s always exciting, isn’t it, to see animals close-up in real life?! I can’t wait until April to see, and maybe touch/hold, a panda cub in China!!!
Maybe Suzanne can arrange for some of us to write a blog(s) to share with everyone. I’ll take notes, just in case it is possible. (;)
February 25th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
P.S. I just checked and should have written Dall’s Porpoise, named after William Dall, an American zoologist.
February 25th, 2006 at 2:13 pm
One thing is for sure, Su Lin (Miss Ace Tree Climber) has the cutest little snoot!
February 26th, 2006 at 2:29 am
I think Bai Yun is challenging pandacam viewers to see how good our night vision is to see Black and White in the dark! Have others noted Bai Yun having a midnight bamboo feast (SDZ time) in the area where Su Lin is possibly still sitting up in her tree? Bai Yun was feasting after 02.00am (SDZ time) on Sunday morning.
Hazel
February 26th, 2006 at 6:40 am
To our friends in the UK, congratulations on the birth of the new baby penguin. Of course it won’t replace Toga, but will keep the parents busy.
February 26th, 2006 at 7:02 am
I like Pandas because they are a vegetarian species. I think that if they can be vegetarians so can regular citizens. Though they do have different physical forms when compared with us.
February 26th, 2006 at 1:00 pm
Both yesterday (Saturday) and today, Bai went up in the tree to call Su Lin down just prior to when the caretakers were due to come into her enclosure to clean up and resupply fresh bamboo. Yesterday Bai carried her little girl by the neck inside. Today, she sat her down first and gave her a bath and then went out of camera range. She must have gone inside, as the caretakers were soon seen cleaning the enclosure.
Interesting behavior. How long do panda moms continue to carry their cubs by the neck?
On reading the blog I see Bai has shown the same activity as above in the mornings too.
February 26th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
Little Su Lin has been following Mama Bai Yun around for the past 3-5 minutes. It seems that she wants to nurse but Bai Yun doesn’t??? It was just interesting to observe the duo walking around in the exhibit area and not interacting fully.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:01 pm
Wow, did someone slip Bai Yun some caffeine. She has been all over the place, with Su Lin having trouble keeping up with her. Along with playing and pacing, it looked like she marked trees by the howdy gate several times.
Thank you for letting us Panda Cam viewers follow along.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
After 2PM (SD time), it was wild times in the girls’ exhibit area. Bai Yun was rushing around the area with Su Lin in pursuit (it’s Sun. afternoon, so they can’t be late for school as last week-lol). Sometimes they went out of camera range and next you’d see Su rushing with Bai close behind. It was like watching an old mad-cap comedy or a cartoon. Later, Bai was like Su’s six-month twin and not her mother, rolling around in the dirt inside the stone lair. Su joined her and for a couple minutes they were rolling back and forth, doing somersaults and just thoroughly relishing the activity. I always enjoy seeing Su and Bai, but I’ve seldom had so much fun watching them play. And after all this, Bai kept up the pacing around the exhibit. Su followed Mom around for a while, but kept stopping and resting. Bai has incredible energy at times. I didn’t see much bamboo around, so maybe the keepers were delayed from their usual 1PM cleaning and replenishing routine. You folks are great with all the care you give the pandas. Thanks again for all the work.
February 26th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
#42–I saw Bai Yun’s attempts–and then success–at coaxing Su Lin down today also. It was cute to see her standing on her hind legs and gently trying to get the cub to come to her. I hadn’t seen her do that before. And she kept gazing up, so I thought maybe she sensed some weather change or something and wanted to get her baby down from the tree. So thanks for pointing out that she does this prior to having her enclosure tidied up.
Also, thanks for the sweet shots of Mei Sheng and Gao Gao today–what handsome guys!
February 27th, 2006 at 10:10 am
I had a wonderful visit to the San Diego Zoo last Monday-February 20! It was the first time I was able to see Su Lin in person and all I can say is how amazing it is that such a ” Little Bit of Something Very Cute” can bring tears to your eyes! There she was-such a dirty, happy, beautiful, precious little bear way up in the trees, very sure of herself climbing all around and then falling asleep! Bai Yun was her awesome beautiful self and I was able to see Mei Sheng for the first time. He looked right at me and I was awestruck by his beauty! Each moment I shared with these magical creatures has become a priceless unforgettable memory. Thank you all, Panda Team, for what you do to care for these precious Pandas and for the future of all Pandas! Much Love to All, Judy J
February 28th, 2006 at 6:57 am
Martha #1 – Interesting to note that among Dalmations, there are those few who are brown and white instead of black and white, just as there are brown and white pandas. As you would already know, Dalmations are breeds and not species, so they don’t quite count in the listing of kinds of animals that are black and white – otherwise we would also have to count the so-called ” tuxedo cat.”
September 7th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
What is the total of species of skunks?