Scientists Uncover Genetic Secret Behind Brown Pandas

Move over, monochrome mascots! Giant pandas, famous for their black-and-white fur, sometimes rock a rare brown coat—and scientists in China just cracked the genetic code behind this quirky style.

The mystery began in 1985 when researchers spotted the first wild brown panda in the Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi Province. Fast-forward to 2009, when Qizai, the internet-famous 'chocolate panda,' became a fluffy ambassador for this rare trait. Now, a team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has identified the *key gene* responsible after analyzing DNA from Qizai’s family and 29 other pandas.

Why It Matters: This discovery isn’t just cute—it sheds light on genetic diversity in endangered species. Think of it as nature’s way of saying, 'Why stick to one filter?'

Next time you scroll past panda memes, remember: even bamboo-loving icons have hidden layers.

Reference(s):

Why did some pandas turn brown? Scientists found the key gene

cgtn.com