The Lair
Posted at 7:02 am November 9, 2005 by Suzanne Hall
You may have noticed that these days the cub is out of the den more often. Usually, this is due to the efforts of her mother: Bai Yun is taking her cub along on more excursions. She'll pick up the infant by her scruff, using her teeth, and walk out to another area where she wants to feed or rest. Bai Yun will set the cub down nearby as she works on her bamboo stash. After a time she will return the cub to the den.
This kind of behavior signals the beginning of the end of the " denning phase." Initially, the cub is confined in the den, safe and secure as mom makes her necessary trips out to forage. At about the 90-100 day mark, the denning phase comes to an end and the " lair phase" begins. In this stage, the females bring their cubs along for those foraging trips, temporarily stashing the cub in a bed of bamboo or grass in a spot nearby as they feed. This lair is a type of temporary shelter, hiding the cub and providing some comfort against the elements. Though not as robust or safe as a den, the use of lairs allows the female to range farther and farther in her feeding forays, bringing the cub along. Extending the range of her feeding forays can be important to a wild female if she has depleted much of the bamboo growth near her den site in the early postpartum period.
The cub isn't terribly active yet, which makes the lair scenario a reasonable one. At this age, they are still doing an awful lot of resting, laying quietly for hours at a time while mom is off feeding. The cub stays put, so mom is able to find it when she returns, and with inactivity the cub isn't making a lot of noise to draw attention to itself while mom is away.
Bai Yun has been bringing her baby with her more and more often, spending hours together outside the den. Those of you looking for them on the Panda Cam last night may have been disappointed not to have a peek at the cub. Blame Bai Yun! She took the youngster out into the sunroom with her. The cub slept out there, under the stars, for several hours, while Bai Yun first fed and then rested alongside her infant.
Those of you with youngsters of your own probably remember the day when they crawled out of their cribs for the first time: it's bittersweet, signaling the end of your solitary slumber and the beginning of a new, active phase of your offspring's life. Here is the panda version: apparently, last night was one of the first times the cub actually took HERSELF out of the den! She tumbled out onto the bedroom floor. At that point Bai Yun decided she would grab her and bring her along for her foray into the sunroom. It won't be long before the cub will be insisting on following Bai Yun everywhere!
Suzanne Hall is the panda research technician for the San Diego Zoo's Office of Giant Panda Conservation.
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November 9th, 2005 at 7:07 am
Thanks so much for the update! We were wondering where the little girl was. It is so much fun to see her grow and change.
November 9th, 2005 at 7:24 am
Hi, it's always great to read your updates on Bai and the cub. Are there special plans for her 100-day naming day? She is adorable and watching her grow and progress is very enjoyable. Is she actually walking yet? It's hard to tell from the webcam. Thanks!
November 9th, 2005 at 7:26 am
This little one has kept me going on a day to day basis. When is her naming day? It should be in the next couple of days, shouldn't it?
Editor's note: The cub's naming ceremony will be held November 10 at 11 a.m. at the San Diego Zoo's Giant Panda Research Station.
November 9th, 2005 at 7:27 am
Ohhh, those milestones……Suzanne, thanks for the updates. As always, you seem to be right on target with the questions that alot of us are forming to ask you…..Thanks.
November 9th, 2005 at 7:56 am
EMOTIONAL ME…THAT INFORMATION FOR ME WAS SO TOUCHING AS I VISUALIZED WHAT YOUR WORDS WERE SAYING. SIGNS THAT OUR BABY IS GROWING UP!!! AND REFLECTIONS TO ME OF WHAT A WONDERFUL MOM SHE HAS. AND HOW SAFE AND SECURE THEY BOTH SEEM TO BE. WHAT A GREAT ENVIRONMENT THEY HAVE AT THE ZOO..THANKS TO OUR " TEAM" …THANKS ONCE AGAIN…ALSO IN RESPONSE TO YOUR LAST BLOG ABOUT GETTING HERE…I SIT UPON MY MOUNTAIN INWARDLY VISUALIZING THE MOMENT THAT I SEE " OUR BABY" IN PERSON…I HAD THOSE SAME INTENTIONS WANTING TO SEE TAI AT THE D.C. ZOO…AND I WILL BE STANDING BY THE PLACE HE WAS BORN AND HOPEFULLY ACTUALLY SEEING HIM ROMP AROUND HIS ENCLOSURES IN PERSON NOV 20, 05!!!! I AM SO EXCITED AS EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE FOR A TRIP I HAD PLANNED TO SEE MY SON IN OHIO THAT WAS MADE 6 MONTHS AGO, LONG BEFORE THE THOUGHT OF THE PANDA…SO DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE…….!!!!!
November 9th, 2005 at 8:08 am
Hi Panda Team:
I thoroughly enjoyed your information about the Lair" phase of bringing up our little baby girl. This little princess has such a wonderful mother in Bai. She always makes sure the baby is first and then she herself will go about her business. It is bittersweet isn't it to see her growing out of one phase to another but oh how charming and adorable she still is and I'm sure will continue to be so in her ensuing years of growth. I wonder what kind of mother our little girl will be when she grows up. If she is anything like Bai, her babies will be well taken care of from day one.
I am waiting to hear our little one's name. I hope it's the name I picked out because I've been calling her that. Any name however will be appreciated.
Thank you for all the wonderful insight into our little dolls; both Bai and baby.
Suzy
November 9th, 2005 at 8:09 am
I too find it " emotionally healing" to watch the loving interaction between these beautiful animals. To have a peek at them now and then eases the stress of everyday life and, in a literal sense, lets us see into another world.
November 9th, 2005 at 8:12 am
Thanks for the update on cubs. At first I couldn't see anything last night, but then this little tiny white spot appeared. I am not sure if it was Bai Yun or the cub, but the entire head eventually was visible–kind of like a shadow at first. Again, thanks for allowing us to watch this miracle and I cannot wait for the update weigh in today.
November 9th, 2005 at 8:17 am
I love that baby, she is so sweet, thank you for your lovely updates, by the way, is she part human, this union reminds me so much of human love, very endearing. all my problems lift when I see that baby and mom.
November 9th, 2005 at 8:26 am
I saw the baby girl nursing in the outside area (sunroom), yesterday at about 5 p.m.
I was touched to realize that our Baby Girl reached another stage in her life. She slept outside!! She is very precocious !
November 9th, 2005 at 8:37 am
I would love to be able to see a video that's not so darned fast. Watching the cub out of the den with her Mom would be great, but the videos are impossible.
More Pictures Please
November 9th, 2005 at 8:52 am
thank you so much for answering a question that i had for a while, and thank you for taking such good care of the pandas. and a big thankyou to all involved for trying to give them the same as they would have in the wild i know you help alot but you do try to stress natural environment and ways and i think that's awesome
November 9th, 2005 at 9:00 am
I can't believe she is growing up so quickly, just like children :> Now we will get to see more of the little girl's personality while she interacts and plays more with mom! Thanks for all of the great information. I look forward to reading the blogs and everyone's comments throughout the day.
November 9th, 2005 at 9:11 am
Wonderful information as always, Suzanne. I've been watching Mei Xiang in Washington do just that for a while now. It took her a bit longer, it seems, to begin this behavior, her keepers were physically relocating Tai in the beginning - now, either he leaves on his own, or she brings him out. So much fun to watch on the webcams, but I wish I were there!
November 9th, 2005 at 9:14 am
To #5 - Oh I hope Tai is out when you make your trip! I so wanted to be able to do it. Blow him a kissie for me, will you!!
November 9th, 2005 at 9:55 am
What a beautiful, informative description of the denning and lair phases for both wild and captive pandas.
November 9th, 2005 at 10:07 am
I saw when the baby took herself out, I didn't think she would do it and I gasped when I saw her dissapear from the camera view, our girl may not be very big but she's very determined that's for sure.. She's getting more mobile now that she's able to walk a bit better. Later on I saw baby and mom together outside for a very long time. They are so adorable… Got to love them..
November 9th, 2005 at 10:32 am
Hello. I write in it from Japan.
It is often that I cannot sleep at the night recently. I disturb here in such a case.
Japanese midnight is morning and noon of San Diego, I am very happy when I can meet her who gets up.
I pray for her growth from far remote land.
November 9th, 2005 at 10:32 am
Oh Suzanne,
Thank you so much - again - for the update on babygirl and Mum. Tomorrow is the big day isn't it? In my heart though she will still be babygirl.
Valerie Warburton - UK.
November 9th, 2005 at 10:42 am
I saw that the cub was being taken out of the den by her mother, and I am glad to know why this is happening. Thanks for keeping us up to date. I have been watching every day on Panda Cam, and I can't believe how fast this little girl is growing. Please keep up with the info.
November 9th, 2005 at 10:50 am
I find it interesting that every time the keepers at the national zoo took Tai Shan out of his den, Mei Xiang rushed him right back in, and it's only now that she is beginning to bring him out. Bai Yun's experience as a mother is showing. She seems more comfortable with this cub than first-time mother Mei Xiang is with hers.
November 9th, 2005 at 10:57 am
And she will always be the little Princess to me, just like Tai Shan is the little Bubba. I have always loved baby animals, but these cubs are way beyond cute! And somehow they capture the loving care of the entire world…..
November 9th, 2005 at 12:07 pm
Thanks once again for all the invaluable information, Suzanne! I wondered what was going on last night. I remember when Hua Mei climbed a tree and spent the whole night out there when she was a cub. She refused to come down! I hate to think of the cubs growing so quickly… Anxiously awaiting the BIG news tomorrow!!
November 9th, 2005 at 12:19 pm
HI! Thanks also for the updates about our baby. I can hardly wait until she gets her name. It has been fascinating to see her grow.
November 9th, 2005 at 1:05 pm
I saw when the cub walked out of the den herself last night and I gasped….oh my gosh
she walked out by herself…then the cam showed her with her Mom outdoors so that was
a relief to know that she had her…whew…then the cam was dark for the rest of the night
and I thank you for explaining the cause for that. Tomorrow is a big day for the cub…a name at last. Hope we get to see her on TV tomorrow.
November 9th, 2005 at 1:10 pm
I've just discovered this site, so pardon me if you've already answered these questions a million times, but when does Bai Yun have to return to China, and does Baby Girl have to go, as well?
November 9th, 2005 at 1:37 pm
I've been wondering how you take the cub out of the den, do you go in from the door in the back?
November 9th, 2005 at 1:39 pm
Not to anthropomorphize too much, but this does put me in the mind of the early days of my own motherhood. You just get into a rhythm of having a certain amount of freedom, when the baby will nap on his/her own, and then that suddenly changes when the baby gives up naps.
November 9th, 2005 at 2:58 pm
I just love the Pandas & the Panda Cam is wonderful - thank you so much for keeping us informed. I am totally addicted and check up on them frequently during the day & at night if I wake up and can't get back to sleep….. Looking forward to finding out what she has been named - will it be on your website tomorrow? maybe on the Panda Cam? thanks again and I hope some day I can make it to San Diego to see the Pandas in person (I live in Canada)
November 9th, 2005 at 3:28 pm
I think this phase is so very endearing. I do remember very well when Mei Sheng (I called him Mei Boi Toi…lol) first went outdoors with Bai Yun. It was the beginning of a very exciting time on PandaCam. His first real walk-around, his first tree climb, so many firsts and so much fun to watch. It will be just as much fun to see the second time around..I wouldn't miss it for the world…it is such a rewarding experience to see it all.
Thank you all at San Diego for giving us the opportunity.
November 9th, 2005 at 3:33 pm
THANKS FOR THE GREAT UPDATE SUZANNE. AS USUAL, IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE! I HAVE YET TO CATCH BAI YUN TAKING OUR LITTLE GIRL OUT OF THE DEN, BUT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING IT SOON. I REMEMBER MEI SHENG AT THE STAGE WHEN HE STARTED CLIMBING ALL OVER MAMMA, AND I ALWAYS LOVED WATCHING THAT, SO EVEN THOUGH IT IS BITTERSWEET TO SEE BABY GROWING SO FAST, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE DAYS AHEAD. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK, AND ESPECIALLY FOR KEEPING US PANDA FANATICS INFORMED.
November 9th, 2005 at 6:20 pm
Thanks for your ever informative Blogs. I can hardly wait for tomorrow and finding out what our baby girl's name will be. She looks so small when she's with mom but when I see her with the keepers and vets we can see how much she has grown. The little boy in DC is getting really big too. They are both a treasure and we are so lucky to have people like you taking care of them.
God bless you all.
November 9th, 2005 at 7:30 pm
I can't wait to find out what our baby girl's name will be tomorrow! How exciting! It seems as if it has taken forever for this day to come. She is so beautiful and truly one of God's happy miracles that remind us how good life can be.
November 10th, 2005 at 12:31 am
I was wondering where the cub was and figured Bai was taking her outside, then a few nights ago I saw her in Bai's mouth as she carried her back in! Adorable!
November 10th, 2005 at 1:09 am
" Extending the range of her feeding forays can be important to a wild female if she has depleted much of the bamboo growth near her den site in the early postpartum period."
Have you guys been placing the bamboo further from the den to foster this behaviour (bringing her cub with her), or does she do it instinctively? I did note that the bears slept outside last night (or I assumed as much). But if that was in the sun room adjacent to the den, then that isn't exactly far from the den. I assumed she's been feeding there all along.
November 10th, 2005 at 1:43 am
Thank you for updating us on mum and baby's progress and I wish you a very happy and successful naming day. Thank you once again for allowing us to watch the story of these lovely pandas unfold; it is a privilege. Best wishes.
Doreen - Hampshire, England
November 10th, 2005 at 3:13 am
Just like the rest of the bloggers, thank you for keeping us up on what is happening in our little girl's life. I was addicted to baby pandas with Hua Mei, whom I found during a very hard time in my life. My friends call the pandacam my " happy place" and they have all become addicted to watching our little girl and Tai Shan. They didn't understand it until they started seeing movement themselves. Now their actions are part of the watercooler talk. Bai Yun is a wonderful mother but we could expect no less, she was a natural with Hua Mei. All her babies are lucky and we are lucky to have her and her babies. Thank you.
November 10th, 2005 at 4:43 am
I HAVE A QUESTION THAT DOESN'T REALLY APPLY TO THIS THREAD, BUT ARE THE PANDAS TREATED FOR TICKS AND FLEAS?
November 10th, 2005 at 9:02 am
Today is the little girl's naming ceremony! I'm so excited! It makes the day so much brighter for me!!! I see baby and Mommy are sleeping at the moment!
November 10th, 2005 at 9:45 am
baby is up and very active now! she's trying to go outside while Bai Yun wants to keep her inside! what a fiesty little girl! full of determination and spunk already! I just adore her!
November 10th, 2005 at 9:46 am
Bai Yun is such a wonderful mom. Watching her with the baby truly brings a smile to my face (and tears to my eyes). I did not get to see the baby outside of the den but when I checked a little while ago she was really trying to get out. She kept squirming her way towards the opening. She was almost out when Bai Yun reached up and pulled her back. It was soooo cute. Our little girl seems to be really excited today - she can't stop moving. Maybe she knows today is her naming day and she is anxious to get out there and show her pretty little face.
November 10th, 2005 at 10:04 am
Greetings Panda Team,
What an exciting day for all of you- -Naming Day! As always, I can't believe that I am participating in the life of these beautiful creatures. It has been such an incredible experience to follow the baby from birth to Naming Day. Thank you, Panda Team for all of your informative reports and for sharing videos and photos. This has exposed me to something I could never have seen any other way. Happy Naming Day! Jeanine
November 10th, 2005 at 10:10 am
I JUST PEEKED INTO THE CAM AND SAW MOM AND BABY PLAYING…THINKING SHE'LL HAVE A NAME IN THE NEXT HOUR AND HERE THEY ARE LIKE IT'S JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE ZOO!!!!
SO WILL IT BE THE NAME FOR " PRECIOUS, PRICLESS, TREASURE OF THE WORLD" ?
November 10th, 2005 at 10:39 am
Does she have her name?!! Seems I can't come near my computer anymore without checkiing in on our little girl. She is so beautiful. Watching mommy and baby together brings tears to my eyes that there are so few pandas left. I am so glad that I found this site and so grateful for all of you working with the pandas and all of natures creatures.
November 10th, 2005 at 10:54 am
Hi, Panda team, my name is Rebecca, I am writing from Miami, Florida. It is so wonderful to see the little baby Panda every morning and throughout the day. Thank you also for educating us about Pandas. I have a question, is Bai Yun going to start mating with Gao Gao again any time soon? or is there a time lapse they wait? Thank you.
November 10th, 2005 at 10:56 am
I can't believe that she is 100 days old today. I have become borderline obsessed with watching this little girl. My friends think that I need to seek some help but I continue to keep her up on my computer all day long while I work. When things get stressful on the job or if I'm just having a bad day, the panda cam always brings a smile to my face.
Home is San Diego and I will be back there over Christmas and can't wait to visit the zoo in hopes of getting to see her.
November 10th, 2005 at 11:03 am
Some of God's happy miracles: panda bear cubs and Spanish novelas, fragile china tea cups and hot oolong tea, warm fuzzy blankets on a cold snowy night, popcorn shared with your puppy watching an old happy movie, supper with your love after a hard day at work, a pot of rainy day bean soup brewed slowly over a long lazy afternoon, daisies bursting in clouds of white along the fenceline and around the front porch, patches of deep purple violets hidden under nests of dark green leaves, crimson cardinals feeding on birdseed cast under the bare skeleton branches of the old oak tree, a burst of sunshine from banks of dark gloomy clouds after rainfall—happy, happy times–we don't have enough of them, but what we have, we remember during the bad times. Thanks for the panda cam!
November 10th, 2005 at 6:03 pm
Su Lin is a beautiful name and a name fit for this beautiful little girl. And it's a wonderful tribute to the first Panda cub brought to the USA in the 1930's.
November 10th, 2005 at 6:50 pm
I'm delighted that the name is Su Lin - the name is so perfect. Why oh why isn't the cam on when Bai Yun takes Su Lin out of the den. I would dearly love to see how Su Lin reacts to having more room to explore. Please! Please! Let us see. Looking at the empty den is not satisfying to this mother.
November 10th, 2005 at 7:12 pm
So now her name is " Su Lin" and we finally see the Chinese characters, not a common Chinese name. The character " Su" means awaken, " Lin" means jade. So perhaps this means early jade or new jade? Either way she's precious.
November 10th, 2005 at 7:20 pm
I looked in on Su Lin this afternoon and thought she looked pretty unimpressed by all the attention to her Naming Day - she seemed to be happily snoozing. Then I read some of the comments above and learned she had been acting quite excited earlier. Either way - resting or crawling around or climbing on Mom - she truly is a little bit of something very cute. What a joy it is to watch her grow up, and to watch the mother-daughter interactions. Thank you SDZ and all the wonderful staff for sharing not only the live cam and pictures of Su Lin and the other pandas, but also for givng us so much interesting information about them.
November 10th, 2005 at 8:31 pm
Many thanks to all those at the SDZ who have taken such wonderful care of Mom and Baby, which has enabled us to watch the little cub grow so strong and healthy, and reach the important day of her naming. Su Lin is a treasure, and we are grateful that you have shared her with us. Looking forward to marking many other milestones with Bai Yun and Su Lin.
November 10th, 2005 at 10:38 pm
Mommy Bai Yun and Baby Su Lin are in perfect slumbering pose! They are absolutely PERFECT!
November 11th, 2005 at 3:06 am
Su Lin - I love you! that's all…
November 11th, 2005 at 6:21 am
I was thrilled to see that the name I voted for is our baby's new name.
November 11th, 2005 at 8:52 am
Hi, Su Lin! The baby girl is becoming more and more of a beauty each day!
November 11th, 2005 at 8:58 am
Gao Gao is so handsome this morning. And what is that sphere which Bai Yun is so excited about? Must be a huge treat of some kind.
November 11th, 2005 at 9:01 am
Our little sweetie has a name!!! How exciting.
Su Lin is a pretty name…but whatever she's called, she's still what she is - the cutest little thing ever!! 
November 11th, 2005 at 9:42 am
These morning pictures are so great!!! Must agree everyone looks SO handsome this morning! Precious Su Lin sleeping through it all
; TOO sweet! XXOOXO
November 11th, 2005 at 10:29 am
Comment#57 - that's a boomer ball!
It's one of Baiyun's favourite toys… I've also seen Meisheng playing with it before. He's so adorable - when he first got introduced to it, it kinda scared him because he didn't know what it was. So the little guy reared up on his hind legs in an attempt to be bigger than the ball…too cute!!!
November 11th, 2005 at 12:02 pm
Perfect name for our perfect baby.
November 11th, 2005 at 4:29 pm
I'm very glad my twin sister and I have been around long enough to meet another Su Lin. We were children in Chicago and met Su Lin and Mei Mei at Brookfield Zoo in the late 30's and early 40's.
Su Lin, by the way, is pronounced Sue-lynne. Love your blogs..You make it even more fun.
November 11th, 2005 at 6:41 pm
Comment 62 - Madam Peterson
I have never thought of any of the bloggers would have seen both Su Lin, the first Su Lin came to USA in 1936 , 69 years ago !
November 12th, 2005 at 7:28 am
I've watched Mei Xang in Washington drag her cub instead of picking him up and carrying him. Anytime she relocates him back to the den….she drags him. I don't remember ever seeing Bai Yun dragging Mei Sheng. Is Tai Shan too heavy for her to pick up?
November 12th, 2005 at 9:38 am
re#62 Dear Lynne, How wonderful for you and your sister! I hope you continue to enjoy many more years of Panda magic! You and your sister must have seen tremendous changes in how animals are displayed and housed in Zoos and Parks throughout the world and the US. I hope you have had a chance to visit our wonderful Zoo and Wild Animal Park. Isn't it sweet that our " Su Lin" shares a part of your name? That makes her name extra special to you. I'm new to the PC and blogs–but I do love them too–they are such a wonderful window to the world. And the information we get from our keepers and all the updates on what is going on are so very anticipated and appreciated! Take Care Luv to all, Judy J
November 13th, 2005 at 1:00 pm
AWWW!!I actually have a bear named Su Lin!!
November 14th, 2005 at 12:09 pm
blaah, what I meant was I have a teddy bear named Su Lin!