Four Pandas Delight Zoo Visitors With An Adorable Tea Party Picnic

"They are humans in panda costume!"

Damjan

• Published in Animals
• September 25, 2024

Pandas have long captivated people with their adorable features and unique behaviors. Known for their playful nature and charming appearance, these animals often evoke a sense of wonder and affection among those who observe them.

A recent event at Chongqing Zoo in China perfectly demonstrated this, as four pandas were spotted dining at a small picnic table during a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, much to the delight of visitors and viewers. At the center of this heartwarming scene were Shuangshuang, Chongchong, Xixi, and Qingqing, four pandas who seemed to enjoy a perfectly orchestrated meal together.

They sat around a wooden picnic table, peeling and munching on bamboo shoots, appearing almost human-like in their actions. This moment captured the imagination of many, with some remarking on how the scene resembled a fairytale or a story like "Goldilocks and the Three Bears."

Following their meal, the pandas continued to entertain by playing on a nearby slide, showcasing their playful personalities and further melting the hearts of those watching. This particular zoo in Chongqing is home to 23 pandas, and the staff often share videos of the animals' daily lives, offering glimpses into the pandas’ playful interactions.

The human-like way these pandas gathered at the table sparked a range of amusing speculations from viewers. Some joked that the bears had better table manners than most, while others wondered if they might be humans in panda suits.

Visitors at a Chinese zoo were charmed by pandas casually sitting at a table munching on bamboo, creating a scene reminiscent of a whimsical fairytale.

The bond that humans feel toward pandas can be explained, in part, by a concept known as "neoteny." This term, introduced by German zoologist Julius Kollmann in 1885, refers to the retention of juvenile features in adult animals. In other words, some animals, including pandas, maintain certain childlike traits as they mature, which triggers a strong emotional response in humans.

This reaction is considered a protective mechanism. Humans are naturally drawn to creatures with youthful features, prompting a desire to care for them.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears Story

With their large round heads, big eyes, and soft, round bodies, Pandas exhibit many neotenous features. These characteristics resemble human infants, so people often find them irresistibly cute. Their playful movements, like rolling around or using their hands to eat, further enhance their appeal by reminding people of human babies.

As Ron Swaisgood, Director of Applied Animal Ecology at the San Diego Zoo Institute, explained, humans are programmed to respond to baby-like appearances and behaviors, which may explain why pandas have such a powerful effect on us.

With their round bodies, big eyes, and playful nature, Pandas naturally appeal to people. Scientists know this attraction as “neoteny.”

The black markings around their eyes, while evolutionarily intended to make them appear threatening to predators, enhance their cuteness in humans' eyes. The markings give pandas the appearance of more enormous eyes, a feature many associate with innocence and vulnerability.

Pandas have developed certain traits that help them stay safe from threats, and interestingly, these adaptations also make them appear adorable and endearing to people.

The black markings around their eyes deter predators by creating a fierce look, while for humans, they give the illusion of more enormous, softer eyes.

"Giant Pandas at Chongqing Zoo Celebrate Festival with Gourmet Treat "

Debate among netizens sparked whether the animals in the clip were humans in costumes.

“Rubbish! These are just blokes in suits!” a visitor argued.

“These pandas are just too perfect; they’ve got to be humans in costumes,” another theorized.

“Pass the bamboo, please!”

"Family gathering"

"They are humans in panda costume!"

Pandas have a unique charm that comes from their biology. With their baby-like features and playful antics, they evoke strong emotions in people. A visit to Chongqing Zoo, where four pandas enjoy a meal at a picnic table, perfectly captures why these animals are so beloved around the globe.

Their allure isn’t just about how they look; it connects to a deep-seated human response to cuteness and youthful traits.

Damjan