Breeding is important as it ensures the continuity of animal species. At one time, the pandas almost went extinct because of their poor reproductive rate.
Come to think of it, how often do the pandas breed?
By nature, a female panda is designed to birth in the coming year.
Compared to the other animals, the male and female pandas do not relate well with one another. But why do pandas refuse to mate?
Keep on reading to find out!
Why Do Pandas Refuse To Mate?
Most times, the giant pandas refuse to mate for the same reasons. In the long run, these factors affect their numbers, especially in the wild.
Check out these 4 possible reasons pandas refuse to mate:
1. They Have A Solitary Nature
Most animals walk in groups, but that’s not the case with the giant pandas. Whether in the wild or in captivity, the giant pandas are always staying alone.
In fact, a giant panda will climb a tree once it senses the presence of another panda.
Not only does this solitary nature expose the panda to predators, but it affects their breeding rate.
Although most pandas come together during the mating seasons, some may prefer to stay alone.
Perhaps this is why the giant pandas refuse to mate at the appropriate time.
2. Male Pandas Are Poor In Mating
According to researchers, the male pandas are poor at mating. Even when a female is ready to mate, the male panda may not know what to do.
Funnily, the female panda bears are not always willing to mate all the time. So, if a female is ready to mate, it may only be for a short period.
And if the females’ fertile period passes, the male pandas may miss the chance to mate.
3. Female Pandas Ovulate Once A Year
Female pandas do not ovulate more than once a year. Besides, the chances of getting the female panda pregnant are slim – between 36 to 40 hours.
If the male pandas do not make use of this chance during this period, mating and pregnancy may not be possible that year.
4. Female Pandas Are Picky
Interestingly, female pandas are naturally picky when it comes to picking males.
In the wild, a female panda has the chance to pick a male from many others. However, it is often difficult for a female panda to pick a mate she likes while in captivity.
This means the female panda may refuse to mate if she doesn’t like any of the mates available.
Read Also – How Do Pandas Reproduce?
Helping Pandas To Breed (Captive Breeding Program)
Due to the pandas’ low breeding rate, many zoos have come up with captive breeding programs. Without taking this important step, it is only a matter of time before the pandas go extinct.
Although the plans to breed pandas started in 1955, they only became successful in 1963. Ming Ming, the first captive-bred giant panda was born on September 9, 1963, in the Beijing Zoo, China.
Ever since then, there has been remarkable progress in the breeding of giant pandas.
Here are the 2 types of Captive Breeding Programs:
- Natural Mating Process
At the time when the scientists were first working on breeding the pandas, they realized it was a difficult task.
It is either the male pandas who lose interest in the mating game or don’t know what to do. Besides, the female pandas only ovulate once a year and are usually fertile between 24 to 36 hours.
Once this fertile period passes, the female pandas’ chances of getting pregnant become zero. This is one of the major reasons pandas don’t breed very often.
By studying the pandas’ behaviors, the scientists were able to achieve success in the pandas’ natural mating process.
- Artificial Insemination
Over the years, the researchers have spent a lot of time gaining knowledge about the female panda’s estrous cycle.
Nowadays, inseminating the female panda artificially is simple. All the researchers do is monitor the female panda bears’ hormone levels, and study their behaviors.
In addition, these researchers make use of advanced medical technology, which is extremely important in the breeding process.
A few days before the female pandas approach their fertile season, they are given close attention.
To artificially inseminate the female pandas, the scientists sedate the animals before inserting fresh sperm into them. Within a short time, mostly a few hours, the female pandas regain their consciousness.
Keep in mind that the natural mating and artificial insemination of pandas do not automatically guarantee a pregnancy.
Most times, the veterinarians have to keep waiting and hoping that the fertilization process is successful.
Although the panda breeding program has been challenging, it has been progressing over the past 20 years. With the application of behavioral management strategies and scientific knowledge, there are over 600 pandas in captivity.
Considering the constant improvement in technology, there is hope that the panda breeding will continue to be successful.
Panda Pregnancy Facts
Did you know that a female panda’s pregnancy can last from 95 to 160 days?
Here are 10 other interesting panda pregnancy facts:
1. A female panda can mate with many males who fight for her attention.
2. Giant pandas mature sexually at 5 to 6 years
3. Male and female giant pandas only relate for 2 to 4 days
4. The pandas’ mating period is between March and May
5. Female pandas mostly give birth to one baby every 2 years, especially in the wild
6. A baby panda is usually 1/900 the size of its mother. Here’s why!
7. Panda cubs are always blind and deaf after birth
8. Artificial breeding of pandas often produces two cubs at a time
9. Male pandas search for different female pandas that are in heat
10. A newborn panda weighs between 90 to 130 g
Final Thoughts
Giant pandas, by nature, are designed to reproduce every two years. Pandas refuse to mate because they have a solitary nature, and the males are poor in the mating game.
In addition, the female pandas are picky when it comes to picking mates and they only ovulate once a year.
Furthermore, we explained the pandas’ captive breeding programs, which prevent the pandas from going extinct. They include the natural mating process and artificial insemination.
Finally, we listed 10 interesting panda pregnancy facts. If you want to learn more about panda cubs, check out this article – All About Panda Cubs
