A panda cub at Wolong Shenshuping Base in Sichuan, China, has gone viral online because its white fur turned pitch black, making it unrecognizable. This unique look has amused internet users, who nicknamed it the 'black coal ball' or 'coal miner cub.'
According to reports by The Cover and Sichuan Online, the video shows this pitch-black panda cub hanging on a tree branch, its whole body covered in black, strikingly different from the usual black-and-white panda. The contrast is dramatic.
The reports say the panda's name is 'Su Jin Cub,' a male born on June 28, 2025 at the Wolong Shenshuping Base in Sichuan, to mother Su Jin. Since it took Su Jin about 38 hours to give birth for the first time, keepers gave the cub the nickname 'Day and a Half.'
After the image of 'Su Jin Cub' lying on a tree branch, completely covered in mud, began to spread, staff at the base explained that its fur was originally normal. Recently, the Wolong Shenshuping Base experienced snowfall, and the melted snow made the outdoor ground wet. Because the cub loves to roll around, it repeatedly tumbled in the mud, covering its white fur completely and thus creating this 'limited edition skin tone.'
The keepers have partially restored its appearance by gently wiping it down. This is a common phenomenon where cubs express their natural instincts and has nothing to do with genetic mutations.
In response, many netizens, seeing 'Su Jin Cub’s' pitch-black color, joked: 'Pandas are banned from cosplaying as black bears,' 'Did you secretly bring in a black bear?' 'Were you out mining coal?' or 'Coal ball panda, can it be cleaned?' The related topic even trended on Weibo, and some netizens suggested, 'Give it a bath.'
However, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda explained that the panda’s skin surface has a layer of natural oil, which is an important protective structure. This oil provides insulation against cold and damp, forms a thermal barrier, and helps pandas adapt to cold and wet environments. If washed too often by humans, this oil layer could be damaged, causing the panda to lose this self-protection, weakening its resistance, or even leading to skin problems.
Park staff pointed out that pandas are in fact wild animals who love to roll in the mud, and 'dust bathing' is their natural way of cleaning themselves—the mud absorbs excess oils and helps fend off parasites. In captivity, the base provides artificial pools so pandas can clean and play in their own way.
The park also reminded the public that pandas are not tame pets, but powerful carnivores with strong jaws and can be aggressive. Even in captivity, keepers do not approach adult pandas at close range casually.
Although 'Su Jin Cub' currently looks like a 'coal ball,' it is precisely its love for rolling around and lively nature that makes this 'messy cuteness' a heartwarming scene on the internet.
The reports say the panda's name is 'Su Jin Cub,' a male born on June 28, 2025 at the Wolong Shenshuping Base in Sichuan, to mother Su Jin. Since it took Su Jin about 38 hours to give birth for the first time, keepers gave the cub the nickname 'Day and a Half.'
After the image of 'Su Jin Cub' lying on a tree branch, completely covered in mud, began to spread, staff at the base explained that its fur was originally normal. Recently, the Wolong Shenshuping Base experienced snowfall, and the melted snow made the outdoor ground wet. Because the cub loves to roll around, it repeatedly tumbled in the mud, covering its white fur completely and thus creating this 'limited edition skin tone.'
The keepers have partially restored its appearance by gently wiping it down. This is a common phenomenon where cubs express their natural instincts and has nothing to do with genetic mutations.
In response, many netizens, seeing 'Su Jin Cub’s' pitch-black color, joked: 'Pandas are banned from cosplaying as black bears,' 'Did you secretly bring in a black bear?' 'Were you out mining coal?' or 'Coal ball panda, can it be cleaned?' The related topic even trended on Weibo, and some netizens suggested, 'Give it a bath.'
However, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda explained that the panda’s skin surface has a layer of natural oil, which is an important protective structure. This oil provides insulation against cold and damp, forms a thermal barrier, and helps pandas adapt to cold and wet environments. If washed too often by humans, this oil layer could be damaged, causing the panda to lose this self-protection, weakening its resistance, or even leading to skin problems.
Park staff pointed out that pandas are in fact wild animals who love to roll in the mud, and 'dust bathing' is their natural way of cleaning themselves—the mud absorbs excess oils and helps fend off parasites. In captivity, the base provides artificial pools so pandas can clean and play in their own way.
The park also reminded the public that pandas are not tame pets, but powerful carnivores with strong jaws and can be aggressive. Even in captivity, keepers do not approach adult pandas at close range casually.
Although 'Su Jin Cub' currently looks like a 'coal ball,' it is precisely its love for rolling around and lively nature that makes this 'messy cuteness' a heartwarming scene on the internet.