The mystery beast was a giant panda cub.
The orignal post was here. Giant panda cubs, like all bears, are born in a relatively underdeveloped state, much less devoped than puppies are. These panda cubs are being bred in captivity in many zoos throughout the world. However, the biggest panda breeding center is the Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Centre. This center has perfected panda breeding and has even come up with a way of doubling its success.
Giant pandas usually give birth to twins. However, the female typically will raise only one cub. The Wolong panda experts take that abandoned twin and raise it. In this way, they double the number of pandas produced.
If you look closely at the original post’s picture, you’ll notice that the feet are really unusual, even for a bear. Pandas actually have a wrist. It is actually a modified sesamoid bone that allows the panda to grip its food, which is mostly bamboo.
BTW, giant pandas are bears. They are one of the most primitive species of bear, but they are bears nonetheless. Studies of their molecular evolution have satisfied that they are bears.
The red panda has a similar wrist, and it does eat bamboo. However, it is now thought to either be a member of the raccoon family or a member of its own family. The evidence for the latter, I think, is stronger.
Although the adult giant pandas do look cute, they can be aggressive, especially captive ones. A giant panda recently bit someone in China, who entered the panda’s enclosure. This panda had bitten two other people previously.
And then there’s always this footage:
From the youtube user krzychuthc92
Moral of the story, don’t sit too close to the panda cage!
