2022-06-01 Xiao Qi Ji ~ Anointing, Drinking, & Staying Cool in the Pool!

#PandaStory: Xiao Qi Ji had been occupied with trying to get something from under the fence (treat from earlier?) when the door between the yards opens. He starts to go through it, but then a smell caught his attention and he rolled on the ground and anointed himself with the scent ... he really liked it!

Then he's off to eat bamboo with momma Mei Xiang, and she is so incredibly tolerant of his thievery! But today he must have been a little too pushy because she had to reprimand him. And he's still not able to bite into the nodes of the bamboo (he wants to eat from the ends of the bamboo) ~ notice that Mei bites between them ~ he'll figure it out! It's such a gift to be able to watch a 21 1/2 month old cub eating with his mother!

The next scene shows Qi Ji drinking from the pool. Here's some insight into why you don't see the water rippling:

FaceBook February 6, 2019 Post by Zoo Atlanta:
Have you ever seen a red panda drink water?
You may know that neither giant pandas nor red pandas can chew with their mouths closed, because their jaw muscles attach to a ridge on top of their heads called a sagittal crest. But did you also know that they can slurp their water into their mouths like you and I? Unlike other carnivores, who have to lap their water into their mouths using their tongues, giant pandas and red pandas have the ability to suck water into their mouths to drink. I've always thought this was super cool, and managed to capture a video of little Idgie taking a long drink of water this morning. (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=348726799302204) That noise you hear is her sucking the water into her mouth! How cute is that?!
Jen W.
Keeper III, Mammals

Back to Qi Ji ... it was very hot & humid today in DC (92 degrees, 40% humidity when I checked), so Qi Ji took a long dip in yard 1's pool using his "pool noodles", aka the logs! Then he was frisky and took the fun way down the tree, sliding down the limb ... and when he landed he had to punch at the leaves before galloping off! Mei was in no mood to have her 150+ pound cub standing on her back today! Outdoors Qi Ji did something that may have helped him cool off ... he laid down in the grass in the shade while Mei finished her business.

Qi Ji took a nap atop room 2's rockwork, and Mei Xiang chose to take her nap atop room 1's rockwork (smart momma) ... the first time I've seen either of them nap in that room! When Qi Ji woke from his nap he went looking for Mei ... he wanted to nurse. Mei chose a hot place to nurse him outdoors and cut him off after about 3 minutes. Then you'll see one of the many times Mei Xiang went into room 2's pool to cool off.

Outdoors Qi Ji wanted to climb all over Mei, poor momma bear! Qi Ji takes a quick dip in yard 2's pool, and then shortly after Mei takes another respite in the indoor pool. There was a sweet encounter under the hemlock tree ... and Mei rolled down the hill, and pushed Qi Ji to do a roll too! And finally, more pool time!

Note from Doxie: I respectively ask that you do not post comments disparaging the Smithsonian's National Zoo's treatment of their Giant Pandas, or Mei Xiang's parenting of Xiao Qi Ji, or any comparisons to other Zoos. Comments pertaining to anything other than the video content will be removed. Also, a reminder that I am not employed by or affiliated with the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping this a place of positivity, celebration and joy!

All video footage recorded by me from the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Panda Cam public website: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams/panda-cam
#PandaStory #MeiXiang #XiaoQiJi