Theories of a Vegetarian Zoologist: Panda Triplets

A panda at a zoo in southern China gave birth to triplets. These are the first known surviving triplets, since the mortality rate is so high with twin and triplet panda cubs the zoo announced the miracle birth 2 weeks after the babies were born. In the wild it is rare for cubs to survive because of the mothers ability to only care for one cub at a time. Even so, a set of twins is more likely to survive than a set of triplets would be. Baby pandas are born blind, they are also small and undeveloped which causes them to need constant attention. Because of this is would be difficult for the mother to provide constant attention to triplets. They will wait one-hundred days to name the panda cubs, which follows a Chinese tradition. This will also help to keep people from getting too attached to them in case something were to happen.

Triplets! Giant Panda Gives Birth to 'Rare' Trio in China - Laura Geggel - August 14th, 2014 - LiveScience