Comments on: Coat of Many Colors

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 21:08:06 +0000

Anniekins #9,

We do give the bears pine boughs and pine shavings, and different soils (like the one mentioned in the keepers’ blog about Su Lin and the mud). At times, they also elicit quite a response. Burlap sometimes works too, as when new it has kind of an earthy smell.

By: susan b

susan b — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 18:41:20 +0000

I could never have predicted a year ago that I would be so enamored of two baby pandas. I want to thank you and your colleagues, Suzanne, for allowing us to share in the joys of the birth of life and the hope for the future. Every day I sit in wonder for whatever time I can spare and enjoy the pastimes of Su and Tai.

By: Anniekins

Anniekins — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 17:25:34 +0000

That’s fascinating information, Suzanne, thank you so much! Are there any scents that the pandas might encounter in their natural habitat that are being reproduced? I’m assuming there isn’t much rubbing alcohol in the forests of China. Thanks again!

By: PJ, Ohio

PJ, Ohio — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 05:15:56 +0000

Suzanne, any chance of an update in the photo section of Su Lin? The last pic is from late December, and I don’t get to see her much since she spends so much time in the trees. And I do actually have to go to work occasionally. Do you have more pics of the Mud Day adventures of Su and Bai? The ones posted on the update are absolutely adorable.
Thanks for all the updates.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 23:46:23 +0000

Ellie #5,

The cologne, along with any other new enrichment item, must first be approved by vets to ensure the safety of the bears. In San Diego, we selected one type of cologne that is inexpensive and easy to get. The biggest behavioral responses seem to come from very strong smelling things like peppermint or nutmeg and from natural items like pine shavings. I even had a bear in Wolong demolish a 4×4 inch block that had been doused with rubbing alcohol. He really got into it!

By: BettyB from Mass.

BettyB from Mass. — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 22:54:25 +0000

I was also one of the lucky ones who saw the live action of Su Lin on her blackball day. I’ve seldom seen her have so much fun. And neither have I when watching the activity.

By: Elle

Elle — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 19:53:58 +0000

Suzanne, thank you for the explanation. It was so much fun watching Su Lin enjoy her mud bath! Is it by trial and error to find a scent they enjoy? How do you chose the cologne? It is all very interesting! I will definitely keep up with the San Diego weather report (I live in San Jose) so that I can catch Su Lin playing in the rain.

By: Holly

Holly — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 19:11:28 +0000

Yes, that day’s shenanagins were quite interesting to watch. Our litte princess was all black and having a ball, it looked like. Many of us cam watchers were oogling at Prince Tai at that moment, but someone clued us in (on the blog we frequent together) and we all hopped over to the SDZ cam to join in the fun. What a hoot! Love all ‘our’ pandas! I’ve made quite a few new friends because of them.

By: Rita Snyder

Rita Snyder — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 19:01:52 +0000

Thanks, Suzanne, for the update. Su Lin looked so cute getting dirty and apparently she surely enjoyed it. What a great site to see!

By: A.Y.

A.Y. — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 18:54:53 +0000

About Bai’s oily coat, that is very interesting because I know pets who take flaxseed oil usually have softer, healthy looking fur. Isn’t Bai’s diet low fat? She eats bamboo, leafeater biscuits and fruit, I think… she can’t be getting a lot of fat/oil in her food.

I know when humans have such a restricted diet, their skin can get dry. Sounds like this isn’t a problem for pandas.