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Precious panda! 5 fun facts plus pics of new baby Bao Bao

Cue the cuteness. Bao Bao the panda is one of the newest baby animals at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and TODAY got an exclusive visit with the adorable animal. Before the public gets to meet her in 10 days, here are a few fun facts about her, plus some perfect panda pics.National Zoo's panda cub takes her first few groggy steps1. Bao Bao means "precious" or "treasure' in Ma
GIF of Bao Bao
Today

Cue the cuteness. 

Bao Bao the panda is one of the newest baby animals at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and TODAY got an exclusive visit with the adorable animal. Before the public gets to meet her in 10 days, here are a few fun facts about her, plus some perfect panda pics.

National Zoo's panda cub takes her first few groggy steps

1. Bao Bao means "precious" or "treasure' in Mandarin. Which she obviously is. (The National Zoo asked the public to pick her name in a vote)

2. Bao Bao is now 4 1/2 months old. She celebrated her birthday on Aug. 23.

3. She sleeps about 20 hours a day. That's how she gets her beauty rest.

4. She's a lot tougher than she looks. Don't be fooled by her name: Zookeepers say "she's just really like a mini tank."

5. She is a growing girl. At birth she was 4.8 ounces, but now she is 17 pounds!

Giant panda bear cub Bao Bao moves around her new habitat at the National Zoo in D.C.
Chip Somodevilla / Today
Bao Bao, the four and a half month old giant panda cub, has her right forefoot measured at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in D.C.
Charles Dharapak / Today
Bao Bao, the four and a half month old giant panda cub, trains with biologist Laurie Thompson.
Charles Dharapak / Today
Bao Bao, the four and a half month old giant panda cub, trains with an animal keeper at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in D.C.
Charles Dharapak / Today