Is This Panda Cub Cute As Hell or What?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Poll: Is This Panda Cub Cute As Hell or What?

by Matt Cohen in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 15, 2015 2:17 pm



Photo by Erika Bauer/Smithsonian's National Zoo.

Mei Xiang's panda cub is finally starting to look like a giant panda, the National Zoo says. And as evidenced by the pictures above and below, they're right. The black markings have come in. He has a shape that is panda-like in nature. His back saddle "looks just like his dad, Tian Tian's," the Zoo says.

Though his eyes still won't open yet (that doesn't happen until he's between 6 and 8 weeks old), he's growing steadily, clocking in at 1.9 pounds. But this begs the serious question: is this panda cub cute as hell or what? I personally believe that yes, he is cute as hell. DCist Associate Editor Rachel Sadon says that he is not quite there yet, remarking that he "looks like a knock-off stuffed animal."



Photo by Mehgan Murphy/Smithsonian's National Zoo

[djean111]

1. I say cute as hell. Who could resist wanting to hug him? Except, of course, he is too little. n/t

[Ino]

2. Look at those perfect little claw-claws! (nt)

[shenmue]

3. Squeeeeeeeee!

[Fla Dem]

4. Ahhh, he's got Bernie's hair! nt

[passiveporcupine]

5. That's the first thing I thought too.

He could be his mascot.

[nutsnberries]

9. i said the same thing to friends

when i first saw that picture!

[MADem]

6. I am with Rachel--not quite there yet. I do see POTENTIAL, though, for utter cuteness. nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. cute and ugly

[Javaman]

8. so the famous Panda markings, isn't black and white hair but actual spots on the skin? nt

[brett_jv]

11. The black marks on the skin are where the black hair will eventually grow when it's older ...

[brett_jv]

10. So glad this baby is doing okay ... its sibling only made it through its first few days ...

And yeah, it's cute as hell ...