Panda cub snuggles soundly in Jia Jia's arms, lets out adorable yawn for good measure

Growing up fast.

Zhangxin Zheng | September 01, 2021, 03:46 PM

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Panda cubs probably have one of the most amazing growth rates among all wild animals.

The newborns are around 1/900th of their mothers' weight and look nothing like a panda at birth.

By around two months, they will take on the conventional panda look and by two years' time, they will no longer be dependent on their mothers.

We can now catch a glimpse of this incredible life cycle, thanks to pandas Jia Jia and Kai Kai who welcomed their first baby last month.

Here's the panda cub at 10 days old:

Photo of panda cub at 10 days' old, courtesy of Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

Here's a more recent update by the Wildlife Reserves Singapore, showing the panda cub yawning.

Yawning panda cub

If you look closely, you will see the black fur growing out on its body and around its eyes.

Awww, baby! Video by WRS.

Curious about what sound a panda cub make when it yawns?

Surprisingly similar to a frog's croak, watch with audio:

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (@wrs.ig)

Panda cub left resting on the floor alone

From a recent panda cam video, which the WRS will be posting daily at 4pm, it appears that Jia Jia is less protective of the baby as compared to the first few days.

You can spot the baby being left on the ground in the maternity facility which is supposed to be modelled after a cave den in the wild.

via WRS YouTube video.

Jia Jia cuddling her baby, screenshot via WRS YouTube video.

Jia Jia moving away from the panda cub, screenshot via WRS YouTube video.

Jia Jia moved out of frame, leaving the panda cub in the panda cam, screenshot via WRS YouTube video.

For about one-and-a-half-minute, the panda cub was left entirely alone.

Jia Jia came back to cuddle the cub shortly afterwards while the keeper came to offer her with glucose water.

Jia Jia returned to care for her baby, screenshot via WRS YouTube video.

As Jia Jia is doing a great job at caring for its newborn, the zookeepers are paying more attention to the well-being of the mother.

Fresh bamboo is provided for Jia Jia to consume if she has the appetite to do so.

Gender reveal party soon?

Previously at the media briefing, the WRS spokespersons said that the gender of the panda cub has yet to been determined as they have not taken an examination of the cub.

While no check ups have been conducted on the newborn, the team is confident that the cub is growing well with its "super mum" Jia Jia.

The team mentioned that they will find a suitable opportunity, when Jia Jia leaves its cub alone, to take it out for checks.