Panda Cub Opens Eyes at San Diego Zoo

The 47-day-old cub is just starting to open his eyes, which is right on schedule for being less than 50 days old. The entire eye-opening process can take around three weeks to complete. It’s the sixth panda cub born at the zoo under a 12-year agreement with China that included the loan of two giant pandas.

The newest panda doesn’t have a name just yet. It’s Chinese tradition to wait 100 days before naming newborns. But you can actually help take part in giving the little guy an identity. The zoo will start taking suggestions to name this fuzzy little creature on its website Monday. Start thinking fast, though. The zoo is only accepting submissions until Sept. 24.

The panda’s mother, Bai Yun, gave birth to the baby on July 29. San Diego Zoo bear researcher, Suzanne Hall, has kept blog posts tracking the panda’s birth and growth. When he was born Hall wrote, “At 2:10 p.m., with a loud squawk, a baby panda made its way into the world! Bai Yun was in a seated position when the cub emerged, and it never even touched the ground before she had it in her embrace.”