The Sex Lives of Giant Pandas

Whether it's live on the Smithsonian National Zoo's panda cam or in front of a crowd, possibly no other animal's sex life is as closely watched as the giant pandas' is. And there's a reason. These cuddly-looking black and white bears just can't figure out how to mate. But, with a little help from science, the once-endangered giant panda is making a comeback. To honor the arrival of the National Zoo's newest giant pandas, we peep into the (not so secret) sex lives of pandas.

Transcript

Guests:

• Pierre Comizzoli, panda sex expert and staff scientist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
• Lisa Stevens, AKA “Panda Lady”; former senior curator of mammals at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
• Stephen Powers, panda fan

Smithsonian Links: 

• If you haven't seen the adorable video of the new pandas tumbling in the snow, watch it now! And if you ever need a panda fix, gaze upon these bears whenever you desire on the panda cam.
• According to zookeepers, Bao Li is "playful, curious and attention-seeking," while Qing Bao is more independent and spends much of her time hanging out in trees. While Pandas look quite similar to the untrained eye, there are some subtle differences that can help you tell which panda is which.
• See a timeline of giant pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute—including the Nixon White House press release dated April 20, 1972, which provides details on the welcome ceremony for giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing.
• Watch clips of Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing interacting during mating season and hear observations by researcher Devra Kleiman recorded in the 1970s.