GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF INFANT GIANT PANDAS (AILUROPODA-MELANOLEUCA) AT THE WOLONG-RESERVE, CHINA

From 1991 to 1993 inclusive, seven infant giant pandas (Ailuropoda mel anoleuca) were born at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. Average daily weight gain in the first 6 months for m other-reared infants (n = 5) was 71.3 g/day; for one partially mother- reared and partially hand-reared infant, 41.5 g/day; and for one compl etely hand-reared infant, 50.3 g/day. There was a significant differen ce in growth rates across the first 6 months in all methods of rearing . In addition, a comparison of growth rates across the three rearing m ethods showed significant differences in the first, second, third, fif th, and sixth months. Average daily body length increase for mother-re ared infants was 4.1 mm/day; for partially mother-reared/partially han d-reared infants, 4.0 mm/day; and for the completely hand-reared infan t, 2.8 mm/day. In mother-reared infants, body length increase during t he first month was significantly greater than during the following mon ths, and was slowest during the sixth month. At birth, infants were al l pink in color with a light white coat of lanugo. Black pigmentation was first noted at 7-10 days of age, which was also the time that init ial hair coat growth was seen. Eyes opened at 35-48 days of age. Ears opened at 31-50 days of age. Deciduous dentition was first seen at 82- 121 days of age, while permanent dentition began to erupt at 350 days of age. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.