Si Nian (思念), affectionately known as “Little Glutinous Rice Ball” due to his adorable appearance and charming personality, is a male giant panda born on August 2, 2015, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Weighing just 174.1 grams at birth, Si Nian is the offspring of Mei Lan and Si Yuan. He has a twin brother named Si Yun Yun. With his playful demeanor and endearing traits, Si Nian has quickly become a beloved member of the panda community.
Basic Information
- Name: Si Nian (思念)
- Nickname: Little Glutinous Rice Ball (思汤圆)
- Gender: Male
- Date of Birth: August 2, 2015
- Birth Weight: 174.1 grams
- Lineage Number: 961
- Place of Birth: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Father: Mei Lan (美兰)
- Mother: Si Yuan (思缘)
- Twin Brother: Si Yun Yun (思筠筠)
- Siblings: Si Yi (思一)
Intriguing Details of Panda Si Nian
Appearance: Si Nian is characterized by his round and fair face, adorned with a natural “dot of pink” on his lower lip, which is one of his most distinctive and eye-catching features. Additionally, he has white fur on his hind feet, further setting him apart from other giant pandas.
Coincidental Name: Si Nian and her younger brother, Si Yun Yun, were named through a global naming contest. However, because Si Nian shares the same name as a popular glutinous rice ball brand, he earned the nickname “Si Tang Yuan” (Si Glutinous Rice Ball).
Tree-top Recluse: Si Nian is lively and active, always running around, especially enjoying hanging high up in the trees. He often spends the whole day perched in a tree and sometimes even stays there overnight, but nowadays, he spends less time in the trees and is often seen close to his younger brother, sharing bamboo and sleeping together.
Pretending to Be a Mother Panda: Si Nian once “cosplayed” as a pregnant mother panda. He sat with a relaxed posture, one hand resting on a wooden armrest, panting heavily, with his belly rising and falling, resembling a pregnant female panda. Netizens joked that Si Nian might be trying to trick others into feeding him, but he forgot that he is, in fact, a male panda.
Bed-wetting: As a cub, Si Nian frequently wet the bed. This “black history” was even written on his signboard by the keepers, making every visitor laugh. It became a true “social death scene.”
Current Living Situation of Panda Si Nian
Currently, Si Nian resides with his brother Si Yun Yun at the Xiamen Ling Ling International Circus’s panda exhibit. The facility spans approximately 3,000 square meters, providing them with a spacious and comfortable living environment. Inside the exhibit, they have access to private sleeping quarters as well as an outdoor playground that includes slides and space capsules for their amusement.
The panda exhibit is staffed by a team of professional caregivers dedicated to ensuring that Si Nian and Si Yun Yun receive the highest level of care. Their well-being is the top priority, with ample fresh bamboo and other nutritious food available daily, along with attention from the staff to cater to their needs and preferences.