Centipede Bite Hurts Like Bee Sting
A: No, but eating too many of them could result in stomach upset.
The greater concern is that centipedes bite, and the bite feels like a bee sting. Centipedes don't actually use their mouthparts to bite, but their first pair of legs has pincers called forcipules that puncture ants, cockroaches, worms, and other small creatures, injecting venom that paralyzes them.
The venom of the small, delicate centipedes so common in damp areas of the home isn't dangerous to a cat, but if Panda tangles with a centipede's forcipules, the wound will hurt, and she'll need to see her veterinarian for wound care and pain relief. Perhaps that will teach her not to play with centipedes.
On the other hand, the venom of the large tropical centipedes that some people keep as pets is very dangerous to cats, dogs, and humans. If anyone in your family has one of these large tropical centipedes, keep Panda far away from it.
If you want to get rid of your bathroom centipedes, use a piece of paper to herd them into a glass, cover the glass with the paper, and escort the centipedes outside for release into the wild.
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Q: Rowdy, our 9-year-old cocker spaniel, suddenly started squinting. His eye is bloodshot, the surface looks foggy, and I think the pupil is larger than in the other eye. What is wrong with his eye? Will it resolve on its own, or should he see his veterinarian?
A: Whenever you see any change in your pet's eye(s), you should get him to the veterinarian immediately. Eyes can deteriorate rapidly, and Rowdy's vision is at stake.
The clinical signs you describe are typical of glaucoma, which induces pain and blindness if not treated immediately.
Glaucoma results from increased pressure within the eye caused by impaired drainage of the fluid in the front of the eye.
While glaucoma can affect any dog, certain breeds are predisposed, including the Akita, basset hound, beagle, Bouvier des Flandres, Cairn terrier, chow chow, cocker spaniel, Norwegian elkhound, Samoyed, shar-pei, shiba inu, and shih tzu. Middle-aged dogs are most often affected.
The condition develops rapidly in dogs. As pressure within the eye increases, the white of the eye becomes red, and the clear cornea becomes cloudy or develops a bluish hue. The pupil dilates, and pain causes the dog to squint.
Glaucoma is an emergency in dogs because it can quickly result in permanent blindness. Take Rowdy to the veterinarian, who will check the pressure in his eyes. Fortunately, this test is quick and painless.
If Rowdy has glaucoma, your veterinarian will immediately begin treatment and perhaps refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist for follow-up care. Treatment for the eye with glaucoma includes medications to decrease the pressure, stop the pain and prevent blindness. Surgery also may be helpful.
In addition, your veterinarian may recommend treating Rowdy's good eye to delay the onset of glaucoma there. Eye drops and oral medications are available.
Humans develop glaucoma, too, though more slowly than dogs, so it's easier to detect and treat before it causes permanent damage. Ask your eye doctor how often you should be checked for glaucoma.
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Tom's Guide
16-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper review: Body-contouring comfort for worn-out beds
Established in 2015, Panda London is a UK-based brand that uses the "magic of bamboo" to create natural, luxury sleep products, including mattresses and bedding. Its only bed topper is the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper, which is bamboo gel-infused and designed to deliver natural, contouring comfort and advanced support. But does it deliver — and is it deserving of a place in this year's best mattress toppers guide? To find out, I decided to use my month-long visit to see family as an opportunity to try out a twin-sized Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper. I put the bed topper on my childhood bed, a well-worn, innerspring mattress, to put the brand's claim that it can "transform" any mattress to the test. Here are my thoughts... The Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper is thick and luxurious enough to give any mattress a makeover, especially harder beds in need of some plushness. As the brand's only bed topper, it delivers Panda's trademark bamboo-infused comfort for under $300. As a side sleeper who needs contouring around my shoulders, I got along well with the body-hugging foam of the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper. Type: Memory foamDepth: 2" Cover: Bamboo, Polyester Corner straps: YesTrial period: N/AWarranty: 5-year limited warranty Starting MSRP: from $159.95 at Walmart However, I'm a back sleeper, too, and I didn't always feel supported along my lower back when lying in that position. I am a little skeptical about its "natural comfort" claim — the main body is memory foam and the cover is part-polyester, after all — but the removable bamboo-infused cover is washable and hypoallergenic for a cleaner sleep. This easy-to-clean, antimicrobial mattress topper did an excellent job of giving an old mattress gathering dust in my childhood bedroom a refresh during my four-week visit. Its foam body was dense enough to add sink-in softness to my worn-out spring mattress. I recommend it to anyone who wants to change up their super-firm or old bed but isn't in the market for one of this year's best mattresses. Panda says it uses open-cell cooling technology, and I did find the cover to feel quite soothing. However, I would describe the topper as more temperature-regulating than cooling, so hot sleepers should probably look for a mattress topper with specialized cooling capabilities. Panda London still primarily caters to the UK market, but you can buy the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper from third-party retailers such as Walmart and Amazon in the US. The topper is returnable for up to 90 days (depending on which retailer you buy from), but unfortunately, it does not come with a sleep trial. As for value for money, a queen-size Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper is $229.95 at MSRP, which is below even the standard discount price of the best memory foam mattress toppers in the same size.. The Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a little pricier in the US than it is in the UK, with a double (the UK equivalent of a full) costing £139.95 ($189.09). A full-size in the US costs $199.95, which is only a $10 or so difference, but still worth noting. Here's the official pricing for the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper in all available sizes: The average sale price of a queen-size memory foam mattress topper is $299, so $229.95 for a queen puts the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper below the average foam bed topper price. The main spots to buy the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper in the US are Walmart and Amazon. Free shipping is available from both, and the topper is returnable for 30 days with Amazon and 90 days with Walmart. (However, there is no official sleep trial from either.) There are no discounts on the mattress topper from either retailer at the time of publication, but you may find some price drops in the upcoming 4th of July mattress sales from Walmart and in the Amazon Prime Day mattress deals. As the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper is only sold through third-party retailers in the US, the benefits are a little nebulous. For instance, buying directly from Panda means you'll automatically get a 10-year warranty, but your entitlement to this becomes a little murky when buying from a third-party outside of the US. Panda Bamboo 2" Memory Foam Mattress Topper: twin from $159.95 at WalmartThe Panda Bamboo 2" Memory Foam Mattress Topper is available in four sizes at Walmart: twin, queen, king, and Cal King. Twin XL is unavailable, but you can purchase a full at Amazon. Walmart shoppers can enjoy 90-day returns and free shipping on this mattress toper, but its unclear whether purchasing from a third party means you're still entitled to the 10-year warranty. The design of the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper pretty much reflects its name. It consists of a 2" slab of gel-infused memory foam (called "HydroFoam"), which is encased in a bamboo-polyester cover. The HydroFoam is infused with temperature-regulating gel particles. The brand boasts that the foam has been "revolutionized" with cooling open-cell technology, but I've been writing about memory foam long enough to know that the standard types of foams used in mattresses are open-cell, so this really isn't some advanced piece of cooling tech — just marketing. Still, not all memory foam is infused with heat-dissipating micro gel capsules, and the inclusion of a naturally breathable bamboo cover means the surface does feel refreshing. Bamboo is also hypoallergenic and antibacterial, making it a great choice for allergy sufferers, and moisture-wicking and odor-resistant. The zip-up cover is removable and washable, and it also has an anti-slip base and elasticated anchor straps to secure the topper to your mattress and prevent shifting. I slept on a twin-size Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper for over a month, testing it in line with our mattress methodology, which focuses on three particular areas: support and comfort, temperature regulation, and ease of set-up. Similar to the best mattresses in a box, most memory foam mattress toppers are rolled up and shipped in a box to your doorstep. The Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper is no different, coming condensed and vacuum-packed in plastic. I've unboxed plenty of mattresses and bed toppers in my time as a tester, so I don't really need instructions, but it was nice to see an instruction booklet included to explain how to unbox and care for the topper. (You'd be surprised at how many mattresses and bed toppers don't come with instructions.) I found the set-up to be super easy. I simply cut the plastic with scissors and then rolled the topper out onto my bed. It expanded as soon as I cut the second layer of wrapping, and it had already covered my bed's surface before I could strip the last bit of plastic. The instructions said to leave the topper to expand for 12-16 hours. There was a slight arch running down the middle of the mattress topper, but the ridge disappeared within 12 hours. As for off-gassing, I found it to be barely noticeable, even though the instructions warned that it may linger for up to three days. Score: 4.5 out of 5 As someone who sleeps predominantly on my side, I loved the body-cradling, sink-in feel of the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper. Its dense foam provided a great surface for my hard, worn-out bed, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to refresh an older bed or soften a mattress that's too firm. I really felt my side-sleeping pressure points, such as my shoulders and hips, were soothed and supported. It's also billed as an orthopedic-grade topper, promising advanced back and neck support and optimal alignment. However, I didn't really notice this support when sleeping on my back. I didn't feel that my hips were supported when sleeping in this position; I weigh under 130lbs and prefer a softer bed. With that in mind, back and stomach sleepers, as well as heavier sleepers, may want to look elsewhere. Score: 4 out of 5 Bamboo is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking. The cover felt cool and refreshing at first touch. However, I wouldn't label it "cooling", just temperature-regulating. As with most memory foam bed toppers, the foam is infused with heat-dissipating gel to offset the material's tendency to trap heat. The Panda mattress topper retained some heat on warmer nights, and those who don't like the sink-in feel of memory foam may find it stuffy. Otherwise, I slept cool and comfortably most nights. Score: 4 out of 5 There aren't a lot of ratings for the Panda mattress topper on Amazon, but you'll find plenty at Walmart, where reviews are also taken from the Panda website. As of June 2025, the topper has accumulated over 7,200 ratings and an overall score of 4.8 stars out of 5. There are over 6,300 5-star reviews, with many customers saying the comfort and quality were worth the price, as the topper helped relieve their joint pain. Just over 80 reviews were overwhelmingly negative, with complaints focusing on the expansion time, the dubious claim that the topper is cooling, and some shoppers saying the memory foam was too soft. Side sleepers like me will love the body-cradling feel of the Panda Memory Foam Mattress Topper. It effectively contoured my shoulders, hips, and knees. It's also a great buy for those who want to refresh an old bed or soften a mattress that's too firm. The anti-slip base and elasticated corner straps are also a great addition for restless sleepers, while the washable, removable Bamboo cover is helpful for those who want to add a hypoallergenic layer for their bed. While it's not cooling, the bamboo cover provided a refreshing, temperature-regulating sleep surface for me, but very hot sleepers should look for a specialized cooling mattress topper instead. (Our top pick in that area is the Molecule CopperWELL Mattress Topper.) ✅ You're a side sleeper: The body-contouring feel of the memory foam is great for cushioning shoulders and hips while side sleeping. ✅ You want to refresh an old bed or soften a firm one: The two inches of dense foam can change the feel of worn-out or hard mattresses for the better. ✅ You want a cleaner, greener protection: The topper adds an extra layer of protection to your mattress, while the sustainable bamboo cover is naturally odor-resistant, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic. ❌ You sleep on your back or stomach: While promising advanced support, I did not feel my hips were supported enough when back sleeping. Meanwhile, stomach sleepers will find it too soft. ❌ You need a specialist cooling mattress topper: Those who overheat at night or experience night sweats won't be impressed with this temperature-neutral bed topper. ❌You're a college student in need of a twin XL: The Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper is not available in a twin XL, the standard dorm bed size, so you may want to check out the alternatives below or the best mattresses for college students. While the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper may not come in a Twin XL for college students, the Sleepyhead Cooling Copper Topper certainly does — in fact, it's designed for dorm beds. Those in need of a twin XL size can choose from 2" ($319) or 3" ($419). It's more expensive than the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Topper, but you're guaranteed a 100-night sleep trial, a five-year warranty to last you until graduation, and a 15% student discount. Learn more in our Sleepyhead Cooling Copper Mattress Topper review. The Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper is perfect for anyone who wants to soften their bed on a tight budget. It doesn't come standard with a cover, but this gel-infused memory foam topper comes in three thicknesses to choose from: 2", 3", or 4". Available in seven sizes (including a twin XL and Full XL) and with a starting price of $49.99, the Lucid Gel Memory Foam Topper is a great cost-effective alternative to the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper. Learn more in our Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper review. The Saatva High-Density Foam Mattress Topper may be thinner than the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper, but its thick layer provided top-tier cushioning for our side-sleeping testers. It has an organic cotton cover complete with anchor straps and an antimicrobial treatment, similar to the hypoallergenic properties of bamboo. (Unfortunately, the cover here is not removable.) At $245 for a queen, Saatva offers a slightly more luxurious option. Learn more in our Saatva Foam Mattress Topper review.
Tom's Guide
07-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress review 2025: The perfect Panda for tighter budgets
Today's best Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress deals The Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress is the cheaper of two mattresses made by Panda. Offering many of the features found in the brand's more expensive mattress, the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pro mattress (which we reviewed in 2023), the Hybrid Bamboo comes in considerably cheaper than its older sibling but lacks some of its advanced orthopaedic materials. The Hybrid Bamboo Pro is our best mattress pick for hot sleepers, but how does the Hybrid Bamboo compare in this and other crucial categories? Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress specs (Image credit: Panda London) Type: Hybrid Materials: Bamboo, memory foam, orthopaedic grade memory foam, pocket springs Brand-rated firmness: 6.5/10 Depth: 25cm Trial period: 100 nights Warranty: 10 years Price: from £649 at Panda London Our main tester is a combination lightweight sleeper who often experiences lower back pain and is constantly on the hunt for the perfect mattress to both ease aches and pains and provide enough cushioning for her pressure points. She was initially concerned that the Panda Hybrid Bamboo would be a little soft, as the brand rates it at 6.5 out of 10. However, she found the mattress firmer than this, rating it 7.5 out of 10 and her light to average weight husband agreed that the Panda was firmer than advertised. The mattress immediately impressed when it came to lumbar support, particularly for back sleepers who will find their lumbar regions well-supported and spines kept aligned. But, despite the foams softening up a little bit over time, the Hybrid Bamboo mattress is a little on the firm side for lightweight side sleepers, who aren't going to find enough cushioning for their pressure points. On the flip side, it's likely that heavier weight stomach sleepers in particular won't feel well enough supported by the Panda, with hips dipping too far into the mattress for support. You may like (Image credit: Future / Jo Plumridge) For most sleepers, though, the Panda Hybrid Bamboo is a mattress that's pretty comfortable from the off, delivering a great combination of support and comfort from the first night. The other big selling point of the Panda is its excellent temperature regulation. Like many hybrid mattresses, the Hybrid Bamboo is made from a combination of foams and coils, which helps with breathability. But Panda also utilises bamboo, which is naturally breathable (as well as hypoallergenic and antibacterial). The mattress has a bamboo cover along with the brand's patented BioCell foam: open-cell memory foam infused with bamboo to help keep air flowing through the bed and stop heat being trapped in the foams. There's also a layer of springs that enhance airflow within the mattress. Edge support is fair, and motion isolation isn't bad, although we did notice a little touch of motion transfer when the more restless of our testers turned from side to side on the mattress. Overall though, this is an impressive mattress for its price. Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress: price & trial Good range of UK and EU sizes on offer Panda sales aren't common Free white glove delivery and old mattress recycling Panda mattress sales aren't as common as with many other brands, although we think the Hybrid Bamboo is competitively priced even at full RRP. It's at the top end of the mid-range price bracket at full price. We do occasionally see 25% discounts on the mattress, generally around major sales events, and you may also find a 10% saving applied from time to time. It's not always easy to predict these sales, though, so make sure you bookmark our mattress sales page if you're looking to grab a bargain. The Panda is available in a range of UK sizes, but you'll also get EU options as well, including an Emperor for those seeking maximum bed space. Here's the pricing for all sizes of the Panda Hybrid Bamboo as of May 2025: Single: £649 £649 Small Double: £789 £789 Double: £799 £799 King: £889 £889 Super King: £959 £959 EU Single: £659 £659 EU Double: £829 £829 EU King: £899 £899 EU Emperor: £1,050 Extras-wise, you'll get a fairly standard 100-night trial and 10-year warranty with the mattress. Still, this is plenty of time to try the bed out and, as 10 years is around the maximum lifespan of most mattresses, the warranty should cover any problems. Panda does offer a very generous white glove delivery, with free delivery to a room of your choosing, along with a free old mattress removal service if required. You'll also get free returns if you decide that the mattress isn't a great fit. Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress: materials & design A 25cm high mattress with four layers and a top and bottom cover Bamboo-infused foam for comfort and temperature regulation Hypoallergenic bamboo cover (Image credit: Panda London) Like the best hybrid mattresses, the Panda Hybrid Bamboo is crafted from coils and high-quality foams. The Hybrid Bamboo is also a great choice for the ethically conscious — it's made with only ethically sourced organic bamboo that's been grown pesticide-free, and at the end of its life, Panda will collect the mattress and recycle or repurpose it. All foams in the mattress are CertiPUR Certified, meaning they're free from heavy metals, harmful dyes and ozone depleters. And the packaging is recyclable and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. Starting at the top of the mattress you'll find a bamboo cover that's hypoallergenic, antibacterial and naturally breathable. It's also removable for washing at 30C, although do be warned that it's a bit of a faff to get on and off. The cover feels soft and smooth to the touch — you almost want to lie directly on it. Directly underneath this is the brand's patented BioCell foam — an open cell foam infused with bamboo that's both odour-resistant and extremely breathable. Next up is a double layer of Panda's DualFlex foam. This patented orthopaedic memory foam is designed to be extra-resilient, so it can offer plenty of support without sinkage. Underneath this are up to 800 individual pocket springs to add more support and minimise motion transfer, and there's a high-density memory foam base underneath to keep the mattress supported and distribute your body weight. The whole thing is finished off with an anti-slip layer that, as the name suggests, prevents your mattress from sliding around on your bed base. (Image credit: Future / Jo Plumridge) Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress: comfort & support Panda rates it as 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale We rate the mattress at 7.5 out of 10 Fantastic lumbar support for back sleepers Panda suggests that the Hybrid Bamboo is slightly softer than its Hybrid Bamboo Pro mattress, but our main tester disagreed with this assessment. Having tested both mattresses, she felt that they were both of a similar firmness. Our tester is of a lighter weight, which can influence how firm a mattress feels. So she asked some heavier sleepers for their opinion. Most also rated the mattress at 7.5 out of 10, although a few felt it was nearer to a 7. What does this mean in more practical terms? As a true medium firm mattress, we felt that the Panda Hybrid Bamboo was suitable for most sleepers, barring very lightweight side sleepers and heavier stomach sleepers. The Panda excels when it comes to providing decent lumbar support for back and stomach sleepers. The slightly firmer feel of the top layers means that you don't sink into the mattress but rather feel it contouring gently around you. This means that the lumbar region is fantastically supported, with the spine kept aligned and the hips lifted. Our main tester had recently slept on the DreamCloud Hybrid mattress, rating it highly for easing lower back pain, but after sleeping on the Hybrid Bamboo, she felt that this was an even better choice for those suffering with aches and pains. As a combination sleeper, our main tester felt comfortable sleeping on her back from day one. When it comes to side sleeping, the Panda is a mattress that rewards a little patience. If you're a heavier sleeper, it's likely you'll enjoy side sleeping from day one. However, it may take a little time for average weight sleepers to adjust. (Image credit: Future / Jo Plumridge) Once the Panda foams had softened up, our secondary light to average weight sleeper found sleeping on his side extremely comfortable. However, we did feel that the mattress was a little too firm for lightweight side sleepers — our main tester occasionally woke up with a little discomfort in her hip. Although the mattress is firmer than you might expect, we still don't think it will be supportive enough for heavier stomach sleepers in particular, who are likely to end up sinking onto the coils. Instead, we'd recommend a firmer option, such as the Otty Firm mattress that will keep the hips lifted and supported. We also conducted a sinkage test, placing a 20kg weight in the middle and seeing how much it sank in. Sinkage was 9cm, exactly the same as the aforementioned DreamCloud and around what we'd expect for a medium firm mattress. Remember, of course, that firmness is subjective – that's why it's so important to buy a mattress with a lengthy trial period. Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress: performance Good motion isolation, but very light sleepers could be disturbed by a restless partner Excellent temperature regulation thanks to the bamboo and open cell foam Edge support is fair, with a little bit of sinkage when sitting on the bed Our main and secondary tester slept on a UK Panda Hybrid Bamboo mattress for a month, inviting other adults of varying body types and sleeping styles to try it out to get a wider view of how the mattress feels. As well as recording our own personal experiences, we also carried out a number of tests to gauge motion isolation, temperature regulation and edge support. Motion isolation If you share your bed with a restless sleeper or are a light sleeper yourself, you'll know the importance of buying a mattress with decent motion isolation. Motion transfer can reverberate across the whole mattress and disturb sleep. Fortunately, the Panda Hybrid Bamboo has pretty good motion isolation that should suit most sleepers. However, we did notice a small amount of motion transfer when our more restless sleeper turned from side to side, but this is only likely to disturb the lighter sleepers among us. We also carried out an objective drop test, using an empty wine glass and dropping a 4kg weight from a low height to simulate a sleeper's movement at night. There was no movement at 60cm, but we did see a very slight wobble at 25cm, followed by the glass falling over at 10cm. Score: 4.5 out of 5 Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Future / Jo Plumridge) (Image credit: Future / Jo Plumridge) Temperature regulation We tested the Panda Hybrid Bamboo in spring with a breathable wool winter duvet (10 tog) over the course of a month. Overnight temperatures were changeable, varying from 2C up to 10C. Our main tester always sleeps cold, but her husband is a hot sleeper who is used as the guinea pig for these tests. He was impressed with the temperature regulation on the mattress, never overheating or feeling too warm. The Panda mattress utilises bamboo, which is naturally breathable as well as being hypoallergenic and antibacterial. Alongside a bamboo cover, there's also a layer of the brands' patented BioCell foam – a unique open cell structure that's infused with organic bamboo. This does an excellent job of keeping sleepers cool overnight. Finally, you also have a layer of individually wrapped springs to help with airflow. Score: 5 out of 5 Edge support (Image credit: Future / Jo Plumridge) Edge support on a mattress is important as it helps us get in and out of bed, increases the sleeping area of the mattress, helps prevent premature sagging around the perimeters and allows you to sit comfortably on the edge of the bed. The edge support on the Panda was a bit of a mixed bag. When we were lying on the mattress, it felt stable at the edges and our testers felt able to use the full width of the mattress. However, when sitting on the edges, sinkage was more noticeable – a fact backed up by measuring this with our 20kg weight. Whilst sinkage in the middle of the mattress was 9cm, it increased to 11cm around the edges. It's still easy to sit on the bed, but you will notice a little dipping. Score: 4 out of 5 Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress: delivery & setup Free white glove delivery Free old mattress removal Takes around six hours for the mattress to inflate enough to sleep on Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Future / Jo Plumridge) (Image credit: Future / Jo Plumridge) (Image credit: Future / Jo Plumridge) The Panda delivery experience was seamless for us and one of the best we've come across in the UK market. Once you've purchased the mattress, you'll be given a delivery date (don't worry, you can reschedule if that doesn't suit.) On the morning of my delivery we were given a two-hour time slot for delivery and once the mattress arrived, it was carried straight to our bedroom. Do note that the mattress arrives rolled and in a box. Delivery takes between three to seven days from purchase. Once the mattress has arrived, the delivery team will take away all the packaging, along with your old mattress if required. But, in the name of fully testing the mattress process from beginning to end, we unpacked the mattress ourselves. As with all rolled mattresses, it's just a case of carefully cutting through the plastic packaging and waiting for the bed to inflate. We did notice that this took a little longer than with some mattress in a box options, with the mattress being inflated enough to sleep on after six hours. When we tested this mattress' big brother, the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pro, a few years ago, off-gassing was an issue, taking a while to fade. But things have improved since then and the fairly faint off-gassing smell was gone within 24 hours. Just a note on Panda's excellent eco credentials here when it comes to packaging – the mattress boxes are made from a minimum of 80% recycled materials and are themselves 100% recyclable. And the plastic packaging contains 40% recycled material from post-consumer waste and is also 100% recyclable. Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress: customer reviews Panda has a 4.7 out of 5-star rating on TrustPilot The Hybrid Bamboo averages 4.68 out of 5 on the Panda website, based on 22 reviews The mattress is praised for instant comfort As well as sleeping on a mattress ourselves, we also look at customer reviews to get a broader picture of the brand. Panda has a mainly positive rating as a brand, with an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5. However, this is for all products, not just the mattress. On Panda's own website, there are 22 specific reviews for the mattress, with an overall rating of 4.68 out of 5. Searching through all the reviews, the Panda Hybrid Bamboo is constantly praised for its temperature regulation and instant comfort, with many customers also praising its ability to help with aches and pains. There are some customers who praise the firmness of the mattress, while a few also complained that it was too firm (which is as we would expect.) On a wider note, the only niggles with Panda seem to be some people finding the mattress cover a little slippery (which isn't something we noticed) or having issues with the delivery service. But, overall, the Panda is an extremely popular mattress. (Image credit: Future / Jo Plumridge) Should you buy the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress? If you're looking for a high-quality mattress that will keep you cool and refreshed at night, the Panda is an excellent choice. The bamboo does a fantastic job of keeping sleepers cool and comfortable throughout the night as well as wicking away any moisture build-up. The Panda is one of those mattresses that feels pretty comfortable from the off, although lighter sleepers like our main tester may find it takes a little while to soften up sufficiently. Lumbar support is particularly good, and we'd recommend this mattress to those who suffer with aches and pains. However, it is likely to be a little too firm for lightweight side sleepers and, conversely, heavier weight sleepers probably won't find it quite supportive enough. Its big brother, the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pro, does offer a little more overall support for back pain with its seven zoned spring layer and orthopaedic foam but, if you're on a tighter budget, this is a fantastic mattress to invest in. Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress: alternatives
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Virginia Aquarium responded to record number of sea turtle hypothermia cases this season
A small crowd gathered Friday morning to watch Basset Hound scoot toward the shore north of the Virginia Beach resort area. Basset Hound, a young loggerhead sea turtle, had not touched the water in four months. On Jan. 5, members of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center's stranding response team received the call that the turtle had been stranded in Portsmouth. Back at the Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center, staff found that the turtle's internal temperature was 41 degrees Fahrenheit, a concerning sign since a healthy temperature for the species is about 75 degrees. Basset Hound was cold-stunned. When the sea-water temperature drops to about 55 degrees, sea turtles can be 'cold-stunned,' a type of hypothermia, said research scientist Joanna Daniel, and for Basset Hound, pneumonia had already begun to set in. In other cases, it's common to see sepsis or other secondary infections. 'Their organs are shutting down,' Daniel said of the rescued turtles. 'Sometimes their heart rate can be, like, one beat in a few minutes. You may not be seeing them breathe at all, so they really look dead. They're totally limp.' This year, the team responded to 77 cold-stunned sea turtles from November 2024 to early 2025, a record-breaking year. Last year, the team responded to just 31 cold-stunned sea turtles stranded in the 2023-2024 season and 25 during the winter of 2022-2023. During stranding calls this winter, 27 live turtles were admitted for rehabilitation at the center, and each turtle received a name based on a theme picked at beginning of the season. This year's theme was dog breeds. Team members cared for 15 green sea turtles, six loggerhead sea turtles and six critically endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles. Many of these turtles arrived non-responsive and in critical condition, according to the team. Eight did not respond to emergency intervention and died within the first few hours of being admitted to the rehabilitation facility. With Basset Hound back in the ocean, it's another success story for the team. It's the 18th turtle release of the season, with the others returning to the water in Florida and North Carolina. Now, there are only two turtles left at the center. 'It's been really rewarding, because we've gotten to release a lot of the turtles back into the water like (Basset Hound),' Daniel said. 'But it's certainly been a lot of work and resource load on our staff.' Daniel said beachgoers should always call the response team about stranded sea animals to give them the best chance for survival. The hotline, 757-385-7575, is monitored 24/7, and supporters can also donate to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center Foundation, which supports the team's staff and volunteers with donations. Eliza Noe,
