CHENGDU, June 23 :A female panda called Xingya gave birth to the first pigeon pair this year on Thursday in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding told ChineseMedia on Thursday.

The new borns came hot on the heels of this year’s first twin cubs, also born at the base, on Monday.

Xingya gave birth to a male cub weighing 170 grams at 1:17 p.m. and a female cub weighing 161 grams at 1:30 p.m.

Having given birth to twins in 2013, Xingya appeared to be at more ease in handling her new-born cubs this time. She managed to hold two cubs after they were born one after another.

SOME FACTS ABOUT PANDAS

Giant pandas live in a few mountain ranges in central China, in Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. They once lived in lowland areas, but farming, forest clearing, and other development now restrict giant pandas to the mountains.

HABITAT:

Giant pandas live in broadleaf and coniferous forests with a dense undergrowth of bamboo, at elevations between 5,000 and 10,000 feet. Torrential rains or dense mist throughout the year characterizes these forests, often shrouded in heavy clouds.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:

The giant panda, a black-and-white bear, has a body typical of bears. It has black fur on ears, eye patches, muzzle, legs, and shoulders. The rest of the animal’s coat is white. Although scientists do not know why these unusual bears are black and white, some speculate that the bold coloring provides effective camouflage into their shade-dappled snowy and rocky surroundings. The panda’s thick, woolly coat keeps it warm in the cool forests of its habitat. Giant pandas have large molar teeth and strong jaw muscles for crushing tough bamboo. Many people find these chunky, lumbering animals to be cute, but giant pandas can be as dangerous as any other bear.

  animals, China, Giant pandas