Bao Li, Qing Bao and the Secrets of Summer Panda Life at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Despite Washington’s humidity, the pandas are thriving this summer… mostly by staying indoors and napping. 

To conserve energy during the hottest part of the year, giant pandas spend a little more time sleeping than they would in the fall or winter. When Bao Li and Qing Bao are awake, they usually prefer to eat bamboo and play with enrichment items indoors, said Lally. 

No matter what time of year, the two pandas have the ability to move between their indoor and outdoor habitats whenever they’d like. “But when you’re a panda and you’re wearing a winter coat, you’re probably going to choose to be inside the air conditioning,” she said. 

What’s the sweet spot for keeping pandas comfortable? “65 degrees Fahrenheit. With a breeze.”

When the pandas venture outdoors, they’ve found the right ways to beat the heat.

For example, Qing Bao’s favorite hangout is the grotto near the exhibit’s lower entryway. Inside this rocky cave, hidden vents release cool blasts of air, helping make the sweltering summer weather a little more “bear”-able. 

While she keeps cool in the grotto, Qing Bao sometimes eats the grasses and vines draping over the cave’s entrance. That’s no problem, said Lally. All of the plants in the panda habitat are safe for the bears to eat.

The pandas are more likely to go outside earlier in the morning. Lally recommends getting to the exhibit before 9 a.m. if you want to see them exploring their outdoor habitats.

Bao Li has stayed true to the same friendly, playful personality he had when he arrived.

Lally describes Bao Li’s personality as curious, confident and socially oriented. He’s motivated by positive interactions with keepers, enjoys playing with new toys, and likes to have a daily routine. 

Physically, Bao Li bears a close resemblance to the other pandas who lived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo – in particular, his grandfather, Tian Tian. 

But Bao Li’s behavior stands out from other pandas because he’s extremely chatty and social. That’s a little unusual for a panda that’s almost four years old, said Lally. In the wild, adult pandas will often only vocalize during breeding season, or if a mother panda needs to locate her wandering cub, but Bao Li’s morning routine involves enthusiastically greeting his keepers with contact calls.

“No other panda we’ve had is as talkative as Bao Li,” she said. “It’s part of what makes him special.” 

On the other hand, Qing Bao’s personality has changed quite a bit.

Lally said that when Qing Bao first arrived at the Zoo, she was all business. “She would come to you if there was going to be some sort of transaction. Like, ‘I show up for a training session, you train me and give me food.’ Now, she’s starting to seek us out for social interaction, which is a big change.”

What’s behind the shift? Lally has a few guesses. In addition to becoming more comfortable with her caregivers, the almost 4-year-old panda recently went through her first estrous cycle. Just like a human teenager, the hormonal changes she’s experiencing are reflected in her behavior. She’s becoming more social and she’s not spending as much time in trees as she used to, which Lally says is a natural sign of panda maturity. 

She’s also showing signs that she’s extremely intelligent for a panda. Unlike most pandas, Qing Bao doesn’t like routine and will not hesitate to signal that to her caregivers. 

For example, keepers regularly rotate the pandas between the habitat’s three indoor-outdoor spaces. But while Bao Li prefers to stay put, Qing Bao likes to bounce around. If she spends too long in one yard, she’ll hang out by the door and stare at the other enclosure until keepers get the hint. 

“She’ll communicate that she needs something different, which is great for us,” Lally said.

The pandas are now able to participate in their own veterinary care. 

One of the keeper team’s biggest wins over the last nine months? Training the pandas to voluntarily participate in their own health checkups. 

Developing close bonds with each panda has enabled the team to perform stress-free blood draws, blood pressure monitoring, and other routine medical procedures. Lally says the keys to success are building trusting relationships through positive reinforcement, being able to personalize care… and a hearty helping of diluted pineapple juice, the pandas’ favorite treat.

Qing Bao may soon go through her first pseudopregnancy... or maybe not. 

Because Qing Bao went through her first estrous cycle this year, there is a chance she could experience a pseudopregnancy. This is a common phenomenon where female pandas exhibit hormonal and behavioral changes similar to a pregnancy, even though they’re not actually pregnant. If it occurs, Zoo visitors and Giant Panda Cam watchers might see Qing Bao resting more or even building a nest out of bamboo, from anywhere between a couple days to a few weeks. 

From a care perspective, Lally sees it as a way to better understand Qing Bao’s behavior during a hormonal change. It could even be a helpful preview of what her behavior would be like if she became pregnant in the future. (Pandas are usually ready to reproduce at 5-7 years old, so Bao Li and Qing Bao are still a little too young to breed.) 

Of course, pregnant pandas aren’t new to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo – former resident Mei Xiang gave birth to four surviving cubs. With each pregnancy, real or not, the team of keepers were better able to care for Mei Xiang by pinpointing the best methods of providing care and support.

“But in comparison to Mei Xiang, Qing Bao’s behavior might surprise us!” said Lally. “That’s all part of the fun of being a panda keeper.”

Can’t get enough pandas? Join us for their birthday celebrations! Bao Li turns four on Aug. 4, and Qing Bao celebrates her fourth on Sept. 12. Swing by the Zoo or tune into the Giant Panda Cam to wish them both a happy birthday!

You can also take part in giant panda conservation worldwide by making a gift to support the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Donors will receive an exclusive video message commemorating the occasion.