Baby, you've got style!

The threeweekold cub at Chiang Mai Zoo has developed a remarkable physical feature that makes it stand out from other members of its species.

The unusual markings are on the female cub's hind legs, where it looks as if she is wearing short black socks.

Unique markings

"Her hind legs are black up to the knees only," said Prasertsak Boontrakulpoontawee, the pandaproject chief. "The hind legs of most pandas are black from the feet up to their thighs."

The cub is the offspring of Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui, who had been on loan from China for six years before Lin Hui gave birth on May 27. Neither of the parents has the cub's distinctive markings.

At the latest of its regular health checks, the baby panda yesterday weighed 955 grams and measured 29 centimetres in length.

Opening her eyes

"Within days, we expect the cub to open its eyes for the first time," Prasertsak said.

Wei Ming, a panda expert from China, confirmed that all the signs show the cub is healthy.

During the past three weeks, Lin Hui has proved to be a protective mother, hugging the cub close most of the time.

Veterinarians and keepers have had difficulty distracting Lin Hui whenever the cub has to be removed from the cage for a checkup.

Yesterday marked the first time that mother and cub were separated for as long as an hour. Officials explained that Lin Hui needed to get used to some physical separation ahead of the direct public display of the cub.

That display will happen between July 4 and July 6, when the baby panda will be placed in a glass cage intermittently to allow zoo visitors a closer glimpse of the little star.

Zoo celebrations of the cub's birth will also take place over the three days.