If you’re a pirate, you have to earn your eye patch. Pandas get theirs automatically at about 1 week of age. This video from the Smithsonian National Zoo, featuring Bao Bao, explains. And happy belated birthday to Bao Bao, who turned 1 in August and celebrated with a decadent cake made of frozen diluted apple juice — great for eating AND climbing!
Stop in and see some of Bao Bao’s distant relatives on HD live cam and share your favorite snapshots in the comments. We’ll pick the top 5 each week and share them on the explore blog.