Panda Perfume
Posted at 7:26 am March 27, 2006 by Suzanne Hall
There has been much discussion on the panda blog lately about scent marking behavior. As a result, I thought I could offer a primer on scent marking to fill in the gaps for everyone.
There are four positions in which a bear can scent mark: the squat, the reverse, the leg-cock, and the handstand. I have listed these in order of increasing dominance. The squat position, in which the bear rubs its anogenital gland along the ground by adopting a sitting posture and using a rocking, back-and-forth motion, is commonly observed in females and youngsters. The reverse, in which a bear backs into a substrate such as a tree or rock and rubs the gland in an up-and-down motion, getting the scent higher off the ground than a squat. It’s observed in some females (Hua Mei used this posture sometimes) but is most common in males. The leg-cock, a higher order position usually reserved for males, looks much like a reverse but the bear lifts one hind leg off the ground to get the gland even higher on the tree. Finally, the handstand scent mark (demonstrated by Gao Gao in the image above) involves the bear getting both back legs off the ground to mark high up on a vertical substrate like a tree. As far as I am aware, the handstand has only been observed in some males.
Each scent mark can be performed simply by rubbing the gland under the tail against the substrate. Alternatively, the bear can choose to include urine in the mark. In the squat position, the females deposit urine frequently. When they are in estrus, the quantity of urine left with each mark often increases. This may be because the window for optimal breeding is so short that urine is the best way to communicate the female’s rapidly changing hormonal status”¦ and metabolites in urine will offer males a more up-to-date message about the female’s status than can the scent gland material. Males can also urinate while marking, and do so frequently in the handstand position, in which marking high on the tree may make it difficult to actually make contact with the scent gland.
This gland, which is predominately a bunch of puffy, folded skin, exudes a sticky, pungent odor that is the basis for the chemical message. The message left by each panda is unique, as the quantities of metabolites in the gland material are different from animal to animal. We think this allows the bears to identify individuals. One interesting anecdote: years back, we gave Bai Yun small wooden boards each day, laden with the scent of a bear in Wolong. She was helping us develop a protocol for a new study we wanted to conduct in Wolong. She showed a waning response to the boards as days went by, until one day when she cued in on a board and was interested in it for a long time. She picked up that board, sniffed and sniffed it, and even licked it repeatedly. I was surprised at her sudden spike in interest. When I looked back over the day I realized that on that morning I had given her scent from Dong Dong, Bai Yun’s own mother. Was there something interesting in Dong Dong’s scent on the day we had collected it? Or did the scent provoke a moment of fond remembrance from Bai Yun? Only Bai Yun knows for sure.
Suzanne Hall is the senior research laboratory technician for the San Diego Zoo’s Office of Giant Panda Conservation.
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March 27th, 2006 at 8:05 am
Great info again, Suzanne. Wouldn’t it be lovely to think that Bai Yun had recognized the scent of her mother.
March 27th, 2006 at 9:00 am
Hi Suzanne, what an interesting and informative article on panda scent marking. I was especially impressed with Bai Yun’s captivating interest in her mom’s scent. I want to believe that the scent on the board did indeed remind Bai Yun of her mother Dong Dong!
Thank you again for all your hard work in keeping everyone up-to-date on Panda facts. Regards, Rose
It could mean that, like elephants, Pandas never forget.
March 27th, 2006 at 9:14 am
Wow, so much is involved in scent marking! How can you tell scent marking from just a good scratch?
March 27th, 2006 at 10:04 am
And I guess Bai Yun holds her secrets close. Very interesting information, Suzanne. Thank you! Tian Tian at the NPZ is showing signs of interest in mating. Is Gao Gao displaying any of the same behaviors?
March 27th, 2006 at 11:46 am
My mother’s winter coat always had a light scent of her favorite cologne. When I was very small, and having a bad day, I would wrap myself in her coat and fall asleep. I still remember how lovely it was. It was almost as if she were napping with me. I believe Bai was remembering her mother when she reacted as she did.
March 27th, 2006 at 11:53 am
I want to believe also that Bai Yun recognized the scent of her mother. We humans tend to believe such things in animals.
March 27th, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Once again, thank you Suzanne for the great and interesting article. I found it very enlightening. I hope that Bai Yun had great memories of her mom.
March 27th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
Thanks for the interesting information. If Bai Yun was remembering her mother, I wonder what both Bai Yun and Hua Mei’s reactions would be if presented with a board of the others scent marking? It would be interesting to find out. Thanks for all of the updates and the pictures of Su Lin!
March 27th, 2006 at 3:32 pm
Thanks, Suzanne, for enlightening us regarding panda communication! I too would like to think Bai Yun was remembering her mommy. Do related pandas have a similar chemical signature? I was thinking that there is a hereditary link somewhere and maybe Bai Yun recognized herself in Dong Dong’s scent?
March 27th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
Thank you for such a detailed explanation about scentmarking. Since it’s often said that pandas are solitary animals, why would they be exposing themselves to others by scentmarking (and identifying themselves as individuals)? Aside from the female searching for a mate, is there a reason to make their scent known? The anecdote with Bai Yun and her mother is interesting as well… thank you for sharing!
March 27th, 2006 at 4:27 pm
Thanks for the explanation of panda scent-marking. But that picture of Gao Gao is worth 1,000 words. I couldn’t entirely visualize the handstand maneuver, but now it’s quite clear.
I’ve just been watching Su Lin swaying on the tree branches. I know she’s very careful but I still find it hard to watch all her acrobatics that high up.
March 28th, 2006 at 6:49 am
question please? does the handstand, etc., scent marking behavior mean something? like, the higher the mark the more dominant the bear? the highest mark wins? well, that was more than one question, but, i’m soooo curious about these mysterious bears.
March 28th, 2006 at 7:06 am
Suzanne, thank you.
This information is so intriguing. Now I’m wondering how other animals react when they encounter the panda scent(s), like would those ” lee pers” (leopards from the realm of Pamela G and Wolong Mountains) be able to differentiate a baby panda’s markings vs. an adult’s. My mind comically pictures a dog (maybe let’s try Christine’s dogs) or other animal undergoing some brain scan procedure that shows which regions activate…
So had anyone tried exposing panda scents to other animals and recorded their observations?
March 28th, 2006 at 9:25 am
With 15, our pug dog household is large enough for members to vie for dominance in the pecking order, as animals would in the wild. This instinct results in the need to keep our dogs in small groups of 2-3, depending upon who’s where in the heat cycle, as even the gentlest female of this very sociable breed can be swept away with the natural instinct to attack another female in order to impress a male. Scent marking plays a big part here in advertising availability and making an impressive display, although the 3 handstand-markers we’ve had actually balanced on both front legs, without their rear legs touching anything! Our dogs obviously know the age and gender of the scent-marker from the mark itself, but I should add that they (and, I presume, wild animals) can determine this information without a mark if the subject is anywhere in the remote vicinity. Our breed is not even one of the scent-specializing hunting breeds, but they can nevertheless tell this information about visiting humans as well as other dogs. From this, I’ve always assumed that an animal’s ability to read scents crosses species, but it’s a fascinating question that speaks directly to the panda’s ability to survive. Can the leopard, for instance, ” read” the scent of its prey, Suzanne?
March 28th, 2006 at 10:02 am
I think it’s Mei Sheng I am watching on Cam 3 right now (9:56am PST). I don’t think I have ever observed him to be so active. He was walking around in his exhibit area. He finally settled down to eat some bamboo for about 2-3 minutes and then resumed his activities. I wonder if this is due to changes in the season or he is just having a field day of his own!
It’s nice to see them on camera other than eating bamboo for a change. =)
March 28th, 2006 at 10:17 am
This is a very touching blog entry, especially the part about Bai Yun recognising her mother’s scent. Made me cry.
Do you think, if you were to give Hua Mei a board with Bai Yun’s scent on it, she would remember?
March 28th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
Great panda viewing today. Bai Yun went up the tree to coax Su Lin down to nurse. Then Su Lin followed her mom around the enclosure, stopping for baths, water, and play. Bai Yun stood briefly against the tree by the Howdy gate twice. Was this to mark it?
Earlier we got to see Mei Sheng explore Gao Gao’s enclosure.
There were some lucky zoo visitors today. Thank you for letting the Panda Cam viewer’s follow along.
March 28th, 2006 at 12:28 pm
Thank you for the great shots of Bai Yun and Su Lin just now. It was startling to see Bai high up in the tree next to the cub, but then she gently coaxed her down to nurse. They looked so sweet together–nuzzling each other, then Su Lin following her mother into the lair to roll around happily together. And then for quite a while the camera followed them as Su ran after her mom and Bai played with her. What a delightful way to spend an afternoon!
March 28th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
Christine #14, Pugs and Pandas; what a great Chinese combination! My mind’s eye can picture your household of 15 pugs.=) I was blessed with a wonderful, spirited pug for 14 years–very sad when he died of cancer, but so many happy memories of him.
March 28th, 2006 at 4:03 pm
14 years ago, my youngest grandson was born 2 months premature. When his mother finally got to hold him, at the age of 1 month, still in the hospital, doctors told her that he could recognize his mother by her scent. When his father and grandparents held him, he was not happy. But, when his mother held him, he was content. If this primal recognition is evident in humans, it must be MUCH stronger in animals such as pandas. By the way, our grandson is doing great!
March 28th, 2006 at 4:41 pm
Kristi #9,
I dont know if related pandas share similar scent signatures or not. I am not sure that research has been done yet.
Annie #10,
Pandas share overlapping home ranges in the wild. They leave their scents at scent posts which several pandas may visit over the course of many weeks. Leaving a mark which others can identify as being that of a ” regular visitor” versus that of an ” intruder” may have some value to bears who are trying to keep their home ranges exclusive. Males generally overlap the home ranges of several females, but if a new male came into the area he’d probably want to know about it.
Reaper #12,
Our research has shown that scent marks placed higher up mean something important to bears. They will react differently to the scent of bear A if the mark is higher versus if the scent of the same bear A is placed lower. It may be important in identifying a young, small bear from a large, older, mature male who could really pack a whallop. This is what I meant when I indicated the marks were listed ” in order of increasing dominance.”
March 28th, 2006 at 6:50 pm
Suzanne, It would be interesting to do the scent/board experiment with Hua Mei and Bai Yun as was mentioned above. Are you planning to do it some time in the future?
March 28th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
I would think that urine and fecal deposits, along with scent marks (and their placement) would tell wild bears a great deal about each other. The urine and feces would indicate each bear’s sex, age, what they have been eating, breeding availability, and in some cases whether or not the animal is healthy. Certainly the urine and feces of a young bear that is still occasionally nursing would smell different than that of an adult, even if the youngster managed to place a handstand scent mark fairly high. And the urine and feces of an old, sick, or weak bear would probably smell quite different from that of a healthy bear.
The fact that Bai responded so strongly to her mother’s scent mark is fascinating (and touching), especially since I would imagine that a Panda’s scent mark might change over the years due to aging, dietary changes, health, etc. Or perhaps each bear is born with its own ” perfume” and retains for life that particular smell in its scent gland, while the urine and feces change as the animal’s diet and health changes. Either way, wouldn’t it be interesting to follow the movements and extrapolate the thought processes of an ” intruder” Panda as it checks out a scent post or moves through occupied territory trying to decide whether to challenge the resident bears?!
March 29th, 2006 at 7:39 am
Because of perfumes or soaps or detergents, etc., do the pandas differentiate between the scents of their keepers, noticing or preferring the scent(s) of one versus others? No need to explain that the keepers don’t mark quite the same way.
March 29th, 2006 at 10:12 am
Several years ago we had an invasion of ” critters” – opossums, raccoons, and skunks – in our barn because we kept a large pan full of cat chow there for our barn cats. Our concerns about disease and possible fights led us to decide that the wild critters had to go. Not wanting to harm them, we surfed the web and found a man who sold dried predator urine that could be ’scattered around property to scare off unwanted animal visitors.’ We sent for a bottle of fox ” crystals” and, with a great deal of ribaldry, spread it around the outside of our barn. The opossums, raccoons, and skunks indeed disappeared – to be replaced by a very interested fox! We upped the ante with an order of bobcat urine, figuring that New Jersey probably had few bobcats. The fox left…and so did most of the barn cats! My husband finally pointed out to me that man is the most feared predator on the planet…… The wild ‘uns are gone, the barn cats eat without interruption, and our experiment proves, to me at least, that there is definite cross-species communication in scent marking.
March 29th, 2006 at 11:24 am
Comment#25: Pamela, that’s a very interesting anecdote!!
I think it’s so touching that sweetie Bai Yun recognized her mommy’s scent…………
March 29th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
Thanks, Pamela, for telling us about your experience with scents. I believe that each of us has our own, too, without soap, perfume, etc.
March 29th, 2006 at 3:07 pm
What a great shot of Bai Yun right now, taking a nap. Thanks for the close-up. It’s always a treat to see them close in and peaceful.
March 29th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
Stacy at #4, I saw Gao Gao scent marking near the howdy door on Fri. 3/10 in the late afternoon (3:30-4:00 p.m). He did 3 ” macho” handstands against a tree & a leg-cock with urination. The narrator indicated that Gao Gao sensed that this is the time of year for a female to enter estrus. It appears that his biological clock is in order! He was also bleating quite a bit. I have heard him bleat in the late afternoon previously aroung the time he goes indoors for the evening. I thought the friendly bleating was his communication with his keeper; wonder if this time he was trying to communicate with the lovely Bai next door? Bai will not have estrus this year because she is still nursing, but are there any subtle hormonal changes that she will experience?
March 29th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
Thank you, Susan O (#29) for the info. I don’t get much of a chance to see Gao Gao (I’m East Coast), but I fell in love with that sweet face of his! It is interesting to see the boys all riled up this time of year. Tian Tian sounds pitiful as he bleats for his lovely Mei. He doesn’t realize there’s a new boy in town. I’d love the chance to see Gao Gao more often.
March 29th, 2006 at 6:04 pm
Why not try the scent/board experiment with Mei Sheng using his mother, Bai Yun’s, scent? Is this something you have considered?
March 30th, 2006 at 8:05 am
Does anyone know what kind of trees in China the baby pandas sleep in? The trees in San Diego look much more comfy than the one Tai is sleeping in, in Washington DC. Yikes! I guess they must have taken off the guards on another tree, since his other one was so tiny and getting very ‘limp’ from its use. Now he’s on a vertical one, and boy does it look uncomfortable. They must not have nerve areas that fall asleep when they are pinched. As always, it’s still too cute.
March 30th, 2006 at 8:20 am
#5 – Your post reminds me of myself. When I was 3 or 4, my mother used a bath salt tablet that I loved the smell of. I don’t know what the scent was, but to this day (I’m 61 and no longer have my mother) I catch a fleeting scent in a mall or other crowded places and am drawn to thoughts of my mother. Scent is so important to us all. Thanks for all the info, Suzanne.
March 30th, 2006 at 9:39 am
On an unrelated matter, Gao Gao seems to have very furry feet. When I saw him in person in March, he seemed to have a little trouble negotiating the log he climbs to access the top of his tree trunk cave. Doesn’t get in the way of his bamboo consumption, though! Are furry feet hereditary? Or was his coat heavier in the colder climate of China than it is here? Are his furry feet the last vestige of that heavier coat? Whatever the reason, he’s one handsome guy!
March 30th, 2006 at 10:30 am
I just tuned in to the camera in time to see a very nice close-up of Mei Sheng. He moved around, got comfortable, is just taking a nice nap. He looks very content.
It would be interesting to see what he would do with his mother’s scent.
March 30th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
Su was all over the grounds of her outside enclosure last night. She definitely likes to be home alone (except for mom).
March 31st, 2006 at 6:04 am
Just a quick thank you to the experts there at the SDZ Panda Research Station from me here in Atlanta. Our female panda Lun Lun was artificially inseminated yesterday with the help of the experts from SDZ and the NPZ in DC.
Cross your fingers that the next baby panda might be in Atlanta!
March 31st, 2006 at 7:12 am
thanks, suzanne, for answering the question about scent marking. i always learn so much from you and you all do a great job with all your animals (although i am partial to the panda team). the san diego zoo is the superstar in the world of animals and particularly panda breeding, outside of china of course. y’all work so hard and care so much. you’re all AWESOME!
March 31st, 2006 at 11:06 am
#37, Stacy: Congratulations! I’ve been following the web updates, but there was no entry for yesterday! This is great, because even if Lun Lun and Yang Yang do breed naturally too, the AI will only increase chances for a pregnancy. I always wonder what the parents of AI-conceived parents think when they see their cubs, since these procedures are usually done under anesthesia. NZP reported that Tian Tian saw Tai Shan for the first time a few weeks ago; can’t you just imagine Tian wondering, ” Now, where did he come from?” An NZP photo-contest-winning caption showed Mei, as if she were exclaiming, ” I swear, I just woke up pregnant!” to an adultery-suspecting Tian! I think Bai Yun was awake during her AI (and she also mated naturally with Gao Gao), so at least she knows where Su Lin came from!
March 31st, 2006 at 11:09 am
Thanks, Stacy from Atlanta, for letting us know about LUN LUN. How we hope to hear that it will be successful!!
March 31st, 2006 at 11:20 am
#37 – Oh, what a wonderful world it would be with an additional baby panda!! Atlanta Zoo, best of luck and what fun it is when you have one so close. I live in northern VA and my husband & I visit Tai Shan every other Saturday as the National Zoo is about 30 minutes away. We have planned a trip to San Diego in August and can’t wait for our day to visit little princess Miss Su Lin. If Atlanta’s breeding effort is successful this year, can a visit there be far behind?? Our fingers are crossed!!
March 31st, 2006 at 12:52 pm
This is what the world needs more of: PANDA BABIES!!! And every other kind of critter babies for that matter! I wish Atlanta Zoo and prospective panda parents all the luck in the world. Just think, the very first minute you are born, the whole world is in love with you. Not a bad way to start life.
March 31st, 2006 at 7:29 pm
I hope Lun Lun gets a twin since she underwent two rounds of AI. That would be so cool!
April 1st, 2006 at 6:49 am
Oh, please God, allow us another baby panda! I cannot wait to find out if the AI was successful in Atlanta. Baby pandas are a blessing on our earth. Watching Tai and Su grow up the last year has added so much to my life. Tai’s bravery and Su’s diligence are visual lessons on how one can live one’s life and succeed.
April 1st, 2006 at 8:39 am
I visited the zoo yesterday and Mei Sheng was so active.. running around his exhibit, climbing up the sleeved tree and his structure.. he was having so much fun.. we visitors were delighted to see him being just a beautiful healthy young panda. Thanks SDZ for taking such good care of our pandas ..
April 1st, 2006 at 4:54 pm
I just got home from the zoo and from seeing the pandas for the first time in 4 1/2 yrs. I used to go to the zoo 2 or 3 days a week, but I became disabled 4 1/2 yrs. ago and haven’t been able to go. It was so exciting to see the pandas! I had forgotten what a big momma Bai Yun is. She was eating bamboo with her back to the crowd. Su Lin was up in her tree — which was surprisingly close overhead to where visitors were walking, and Mei Sheng was sleeping on top of his hollow tree. Wouldn’t you know — I forgot to take my camera!! Well, at least they weren’t doing anything cute or unusual. I hope I can get back more often to see them, but it wasn’t easy. The zoo was VERY crowded today.
April 2nd, 2006 at 7:34 am
one more question please? i’ve read where humans do not detect panda scent. according to what i’ve read here and on that other zoo site (lol) the panda droppings don’t have a scent humans can detect, and neither do the scent marks. is it possible that pandas have noses comparable or better than dogs? has anyone ever taken a scent marked item and presented it to a canine? okay, that was more than one question, but these bears are so delightful and this amateur panda behaviorist wants to know everything that you do about the bears. thanks for all your extensive work on these treasures, and much thanks too, for telling us about it!
April 2nd, 2006 at 12:33 pm
To Stacy (#37) – Good luck to Lun Lun and the Atlanta Zoo!!! I nervously watched last year on word of her possible pregnancy only to hear with great disappointment that she was not
Since SDZ & NZ in DC will not be having cubs this year, we have to pull for Atlanta. It is definitely their turn!! I’ve tried to look but have not found any info on the Memphis pair Ya Ya & Le Le. Are they still too young to breed? Thought this might be their first year.
April 2nd, 2006 at 12:40 pm
So cute–Su Lin was just sleeping in her tree and looked as if she was using her paw to shade the sun from her eyes. Whatever she does is so adorable. A couple nights ago, the cam showed the lair and in the background you could see into the bedroom–I had never before seen the light on in there at night. It was great. Bai Yun was having a grooming/ play session with Su Lin, tossing her around a bit, but not so high as in the younger days when Su was so much lighter…I was also so happy to hear that Lun Lun in Atlanta had received AI. How exciting to anticipate another American-born panda cub…Seems Tai Shan is having a great time in his new tree. Since last Saturday, he seems to be up high in the branches daily. The keepers are having a tough time coaxing him down. I bet if he had the chance, he’d be like Su, up a tree for much of the night.
April 2nd, 2006 at 8:42 pm
I have been wondering if giant pandas have tongues similar to cats. I’ve noticed that Bai Yun and Mei Xiang both groom Su Lin and Tai Shan, respectively. I cannot recall reading anything regarding ” tongues” . Thanks so much!
April 3rd, 2006 at 7:04 pm
To reaper, #47 — I understand that bears have MUCH better olfactory senses than dogs. I would suppose that this would apply to panda bears also.
April 4th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
thank you barbara. my knowledge of bears is rather limited. that’s great to know, i would think that bears in general would have to have great olfactory senses in the wild.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
Reaper #47 and Barbara #51,
Yes, bears have an excellent sense of smell. I often tell people that we can smell a cake baking, but bears can smell eggs and flour and sugar and vanilla and….
April 10th, 2006 at 8:58 am
thanks so much suzanne. they can separate the different scents in a mixture, wow…that’s one amazing smeller!