Subscribe to one of our news e-mail lists . And they're oh so popular. Officials at the National Zoo on Thursday welcomed the millionth person to see the giant pandas since they went on public display January 10.
Pandas are mammals and are part of the bear family.
They're most genetically similar to bears, although they branched off of the bear line about 3 million years ago. In addition to winning prizes, his name will be engraved on a brick to be used in construction of an expanded permanent panda exhibit that will open in 2003. Since their arrival from China's Sichuan Province December 6, each panda has gained about 30 pounds, eating about 50 pounds of bamboo daily along with carrots, apples and special biscuits. Tian Tian, who will be 4 in August, has developed an affinity for honey, which has helped boost his weight to 250 pounds. The female, Mei Xiang, who will turn 3 in July, weighs about 170 pounds.