Pandas' Motivation to Mate Comes Down to Personality

[FamTimes reporter Park Joo-hye] People have long been fascinated by pandas' sex lives because the animals seem utterly unwilling to mate.

Scientists have conducted all kinds of experiments and research to encourage pandas to mate. A recent study has now found that personality is what motivates pandas to mate with one another.

Pandas were found to have distinct personalities of their own. As with humans, animals' personalities also play an important role in mating.

The researchers conducted an experiment involving 19 female pandas and 10 male pandas. In addition to carrying out the experiment, they recorded each panda's personality.

The results showed that most pandas paired with partners that had similar personalities. However, some paired with pandas whose personalities were their complete opposite. The researchers explained that, like humans, pandas tend to be attracted to members of the opposite sex with contrasting dispositions.

The five key traits in the study were aggression, inquisitiveness, excitability, fearfulness and general activity. These traits were based on human characteristics.

As the study progressed, the pandas were found to place greater emphasis on aggression, excitability and fearfulness.

Pandas' personalities and mating behavior played an important role only in reproduction. Male and female pandas separate after having cubs, and the mother raises them alone. When male cubs grow up and begin mating, the underlying dispositions inherited from their mothers will likely play a major role.

David Powell, who played a key role in the experiment, said, "Personality is multidimensional. An aggressive male has characteristics besides aggression, so the full spectrum of its personality must be considered. It is the same for pandas as it is for people choosing a partner. Another person is not attracted to you because of just one aspect of your personality. You have to look at the whole."

The study was published in the journal Biological Conservation.

Reporter Park Joo-hye, fam1@pcss.co.kr