Panda Updates – Monday, November 5

Introducing new items in the giant pandas’ diets can be quite a challenge. They are creatures of habit, and would much rather stick to what they know than waste time eating something that might not be nutritionally worth it. Although pears are not something they get often, they are something they get regularly enough to remember that they like them. Nutritionally, the apples they receive in their daily diets can be replaced with pears, and both Lun Lun and Yang Yang enjoy the occasional change. Ya Lun and Xi Lun still haven’t quite decided if they are interested or not. This morning I gave Yang Yang a particularly juicy pear, and he immediately kicked back and enjoyed his morning snack. Watching the giant pandas get whole produce always makes me laugh. They lean back, close their eyes, and enjoy each and every bite. After they’re done, the lick their paws and make sure they get every last drop. Yang Yang sometimes appears so happy that he looks like he’s forgotten to breathe in between bites. Rest assured he is fine and just enjoying his fruit as thoroughly as he can. Check out a video on Zoo Atlanta’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages!
Danica W.
Keeper I, Mammals