Panda

 

PANDA

 

About Panda....

 

The panda, also known as panda bear or the giant panda to distinguish it from the unrelated red panda, is a bear native to south central China.

Scientific name: Ailuropoda melanoleuc

Gestation period: 95 – 160 d

Lifespan: 20 y (In Wild)

Height: 60 – 90 cm (Adult, At Shoulder)

Rank: Species

Mass: 75 – 120 kg (Adult, Female), 0.09 – 0.13 kg (Newborn), 100 – 120 kg (Adult), 45 kg (At 1 year of age)

Length: 120 – 180 cm (Adult), 15 – 17 cm (Newborn)

 

 

 

Pandas live in a few mountain ranges in central China, in Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. They once lived in lowland areas, but farming, forest clearing, and other development now restrict giant pandas to the mountains.

 

 Pandas live in broadleaf and coniferous forests with a dense understory of bamboo, at elevations between 5,000 and 10,000 feet. Torrential rains or dense mist throughout the year characterizes these forests, often shrouded in heavy clouds.

 

The panda, a black-and-white bear, has a body typical of bears. It has black fur on ears, eye patches, muzzle, legs, and shoulders. The rest of the animal's coat is white. Although scientists do not know why these unusual bears are black and white, some speculate that the bold coloring provides effective camouflage into their shade-dappled snowy and rocky surroundings. The panda's thick, wooly coat keeps it warm in the cool forests of its habitat. Giant pandas have large molar teeth and strong jaw muscles for crushing tough bamboo. Many people find these chunky, lumbering animals to be cute, but giant pandas can be as dangerous as any other bear.

 

A wild panda spends much of its day resting, feeding, and seeking food. Unlike other bears from temperate climates, giant pandas do not hibernate. Until recently, scientists thought giant pandas spent most of their lives alone, with males and females meeting only during the breeding season. Recent studies paint a different picture, in which small groups of pandas share a large territory and sometimes meet outside the breeding season. Much remains to be learned about the secret lives of these elusive animals, and every new discovery helps scientists in their battle to save this species.