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| Meiguoxing.com, Your Ultimate Guide to Beijing, China |
| Giant Panda Facts, Profiles and Information |
The famously rare giant panda (Da Xiong Mao, Daxiongmao, 大熊猫, 猫熊,
Panda Géant, Panda gigante) occurs only in China, and, according to
recent genetic tests, the Giant Panda is a member of the bear family. The
wild panda population of around 1,600 seems to be increasing, though with
perhaps only another 239 in captivity worldwide, they remain seriously
endangered, despite recently successful breeding programs in China. The
animals feed primarily on bamboo. They have developed large molars for
grinding up the stalks, but are not well adapted to digesting them and so
spend almost all their waking hours eating.
Baby pandas
A Panda baby weighs four to six ounces (85-140 g) at birth (about the size
of a stick of butter and lighter than an apple!!!) - compared to the adult’s
200 lb (90 kg). Cubs are born blind and with sparse fur. They open their
eyes at six to seven weeks, start to walk at four months old, feed on
bamboo at 13 to 14 months and usually remain with their mothers until 18
months, but as long as 2.5 years.
Diet
A wild giant panda eats almost exclusively (99 percent) between 35 and 65
pounds (15 and 30 kg) of bamboo a day, despite having a carnivore’s
digestive tract. They only digest 20 percent of nutrients, so spend the rest
of the day asleep, conserving energy. In captivity (zoos and breeding
centers), pandas eat bamboo, rice cereal, carrots, apples, and sweet
potatoes.
Paws
The panda’s paw is adapted to its special diet. These paws have five
clawed fingers plus an extra bone that works like an opposable thumb. The
Panda' "thumb" is not really a finger (like our thumb is). The wrist is modified
into a sort of opposable “thumb” that helps it to grasp delicate bamboo
stems. Stephen Jay Gould used this example in his book of essays: The
Panda's Thumb.
Population
Only about 1,600 pandas live in the wild, mostly in China's southwestern
Sichuan province. An additional 120 panda are in Chinese breeding
facilities and zoos, and about 20 live in zoos outside China.
Reproduction
Pandas reach sexual maturity between the ages of 4 and 8, and may be
reproductive until age 20. but they are not prolific breeders, even in the best
equipped zoos, as they only have a brief breeding window (once a year in
spring) and they are extremely choosy about whom they mate with. If a
female panda gives birth to two babies, she is able to take care of only one
of them!
Panda Géant, Panda gigante) occurs only in China, and, according to
recent genetic tests, the Giant Panda is a member of the bear family. The
wild panda population of around 1,600 seems to be increasing, though with
perhaps only another 239 in captivity worldwide, they remain seriously
endangered, despite recently successful breeding programs in China. The
animals feed primarily on bamboo. They have developed large molars for
grinding up the stalks, but are not well adapted to digesting them and so
spend almost all their waking hours eating.
Baby pandas
A Panda baby weighs four to six ounces (85-140 g) at birth (about the size
of a stick of butter and lighter than an apple!!!) - compared to the adult’s
200 lb (90 kg). Cubs are born blind and with sparse fur. They open their
eyes at six to seven weeks, start to walk at four months old, feed on
bamboo at 13 to 14 months and usually remain with their mothers until 18
months, but as long as 2.5 years.
Diet
A wild giant panda eats almost exclusively (99 percent) between 35 and 65
pounds (15 and 30 kg) of bamboo a day, despite having a carnivore’s
digestive tract. They only digest 20 percent of nutrients, so spend the rest
of the day asleep, conserving energy. In captivity (zoos and breeding
centers), pandas eat bamboo, rice cereal, carrots, apples, and sweet
potatoes.
Paws
The panda’s paw is adapted to its special diet. These paws have five
clawed fingers plus an extra bone that works like an opposable thumb. The
Panda' "thumb" is not really a finger (like our thumb is). The wrist is modified
into a sort of opposable “thumb” that helps it to grasp delicate bamboo
stems. Stephen Jay Gould used this example in his book of essays: The
Panda's Thumb.
Population
Only about 1,600 pandas live in the wild, mostly in China's southwestern
Sichuan province. An additional 120 panda are in Chinese breeding
facilities and zoos, and about 20 live in zoos outside China.
Reproduction
Pandas reach sexual maturity between the ages of 4 and 8, and may be
reproductive until age 20. but they are not prolific breeders, even in the best
equipped zoos, as they only have a brief breeding window (once a year in
spring) and they are extremely choosy about whom they mate with. If a
female panda gives birth to two babies, she is able to take care of only one
of them!
Social Behavior and Life Span
Pandas in the wild are occasionally seen in family
groups, but mostly they live a solitary existence for
much of their 25 years in a clearly defined territory
marked out by scent. One theory for their striking black
and white coloration is that it helps them recognize
each other in the forests.
Though the Giant Panda is often assumed to be docile,
it has been known to attack humans, presumably out of
irritation rather than predatory behavior.
Pandas in the wild are occasionally seen in family
groups, but mostly they live a solitary existence for
much of their 25 years in a clearly defined territory
marked out by scent. One theory for their striking black
and white coloration is that it helps them recognize
each other in the forests.
Though the Giant Panda is often assumed to be docile,
it has been known to attack humans, presumably out of
irritation rather than predatory behavior.
Vocalizations
Pandas make a sound like a sheep bleating, but they
can make 11 different sounds for different situations,
four of which are only used during mating, others
include chirps to promote social contact, honks to
indicate mild distress and barks to indicate aggression.
Pandas make a sound like a sheep bleating, but they
can make 11 different sounds for different situations,
four of which are only used during mating, others
include chirps to promote social contact, honks to
indicate mild distress and barks to indicate aggression.
Threats
Panda habitat loss due to an explosive population
growth and the unsustainable use of natural resources,
continued poaching and Bamboo 'die back'.
Where to see Giant Pandas
There are places to see pandas, including four zoos in
America (Smithsonian's National Zoo, San Diego Zoo,
Zoo Atlanta and Memphis Zoo) and 13 other places
around the world.
Wolong National Nature Reserve
(卧龙自然保护区)
Wolong Nature Reserve is one of top ten nature
reserves in China and certainly the most important
sanctuary for giant pandas and other rare and precious
animals and plants. The Wolong Giant Panda
Protection and Research Centre, the world's premier
breeding facility for the species, was established in
1980 with the efforts of both World Wildlife Fund
(WWF) and the Chinese government.
Panda habitat loss due to an explosive population
growth and the unsustainable use of natural resources,
continued poaching and Bamboo 'die back'.
Where to see Giant Pandas
There are places to see pandas, including four zoos in
America (Smithsonian's National Zoo, San Diego Zoo,
Zoo Atlanta and Memphis Zoo) and 13 other places
around the world.
Wolong National Nature Reserve
(卧龙自然保护区)
Wolong Nature Reserve is one of top ten nature
reserves in China and certainly the most important
sanctuary for giant pandas and other rare and precious
animals and plants. The Wolong Giant Panda
Protection and Research Centre, the world's premier
breeding facility for the species, was established in
1980 with the efforts of both World Wildlife Fund
(WWF) and the Chinese government.
| Help Save the Endangered Giant Pandas! |
Wolong National Nature Reserve, China
|