The Giant Panda(Ailuropoda melanoleuca), also known as Panda Bear, or simply Panda is a member of the bear family that lives entirely in China, where they inhabit mountain areas. Even though this species is classified in the Carnivora order, they are the only bear that is almost completely herbivorous. Giant Pandas weigh 115 kilograms on average.
Physical Characteristics
Giant Pandas have a modified wrist bone that serves as a “thumb” which assists with stripping leaves from vegetation. They also have the largest molar teeth of any carnivore.
| Length | 1.2-1.8 m(3’11”-5’11”) |
| Shoulder Height | 70-80 cm(2’4″-2’7″) |
| Weight | 70-160 kg(154-353 lbs.) |
Distribution and Habitat
Giant Pandas live in a few mountain ranges in the Chinese Provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu. Their habitat is broadleaf and coniferous forests with a dense understory of bamboo. Giant Pandas use old, hollow logs and tree stumps for dens. The mountainous areas they live in can reach elevations up to 3,505 meters.
Breeding
Giant Pandas are typically solitary animals, but do meet during the mating season. The mother Giant Panda gives birth to 1 to 2 cubs after a gestation period of 3 to 5 months. Cubs are 85 to 142 grams at birth. The cubs will stay with their mother for about 18 months.
Diet
The Giant Panda eats primarily bamboo, but occasionally eats fruits, insects, rodents, and carrion. Giant Pandas spend an average of 13 hours a day eating, and can eat between 9 to 36 kilograms of bamboo a day.
Fun Facts
- In 1936, Ruth Harkness became the first Westerner to bring back a live Giant Panda, a cub named Su Lin who went to live at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. In 1938.
- Giant Panda waste is being studied to see if it could be used in manufacturing biofuels.
- The World Wildlife Fund uses the Giant Panda as its symbol.
- Giant Pandas poop as much as 50 times a day.
- Giant Pandas that live in the wild take 2 to 4 hour long naps between feedings. They sleep on their side, back, or belly, either sprawled or curled up.
- Giant Pandas can live up to 35 years.
- Kung Fu Panda is an American media franchise by DreamWorks Animation, set in an ancient China populated by anthropomorphic animals. It features the adventures of Po Ping, a Giant Panda, who was improbably chosen as the prophesied Dragon Warrior.
- Giant pandas have unusually thick and heavy bones for their size, but they are also very flexible and like to do somersaults.
