Giant Panda
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
Overview
The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a bear species endemic to south-central China. It is characterized by its large, black patches around its eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. Though it belongs to the order Carnivora, its diet is 99% bamboo. It is a conservation icon and a symbol of peace in Chinese culture.
Fun Fact
Pandas have a 'pseudo-thumb' which is actually a modified wrist bone (sesamoid bone) that they use to hold bamboo stems efficiently.
Physical Characteristics
Stocky build with thick, woolly fur that keeps them warm in cool forests. Their black and white coat is thought to be for camouflage in snow and shade conditions.
Behavior & Ecology
Pandas are generally solitary and peaceful animals. They occupy defined territories and mark them with scent. They spend most of their day resting or foraging for bamboo to conserve energy.
Diet & Hunting Strategy
A giant panda eats about 12 to 38 kg of bamboo every day to satisfy its energy needs because bamboo is low in nutrients. They primarily consume stems, shoots, and leaves.
Reproduction & Life Cycle
Females are only fertile for two or three days once a year during the spring. Gestation lasts 95 to 160 days, and usually, only one cub is raised as twins are difficult to care for in the wild.
Human Interaction
They are national treasures in China and are world-renowned symbols of wildlife conservation, famously featured in the WWF logo.
FAQ
What is the scientific name of the Giant Panda?
The scientific name of the Giant Panda is Ailuropoda melanoleuca.
Where does the Giant Panda live?
High-altitude bamboo forests in the mountains of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces of China. They prefer cool, wet slopes.
What does the Giant Panda eat?
Herbivore (99% bamboo). A giant panda eats about 12 to 38 kg of bamboo every day to satisfy its energy needs because bamboo is low in nutrients. They primarily consume stems, shoots, and leaves.
How long does the Giant Panda live?
The lifespan of the Giant Panda is approximately 20 years in the wild; up to 30 in captivity..
