Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Carnivora
Family:Ursidae
Genus:Ailuropoda
Species:A. melanoleuca
Binomial name
Binomial name
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
Physical description
The giant panda, a black-and-white bear, has a body typical of bears. It has black fur on ears, eye patches, 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, it is said that the bold coloring provides effective camouflage into their shade-dappled snowy and rocky surroundings. The panda has a thick, wooly coat which keeps it warm in cool forests of its habitat. Giant pandas have large molar teeth and strong jaw muscles for crushing bamboo which is tough. Many people find these animals to be cute, but in fact, giant pandas can be as dangerous as any other bear. Mature giant pandas is able to reach four to six feet long. Males are always larger than females, weighing up to about 250 pounds in the wild. Females are rarely able to reach 220 pounds. Chinese scientists have reported that zoo pandas as old as 35.
Habitat
Giant pandas live in broadleaf and coniferous forests with a narrow understory of bamboo, at at heights between 5,000 and 10,000 feet.There are torrential rains or dense mist throughout the year so the forest is often shrouded in heavy clouds.
Status
The giant panda is listed as endangered because there are about 1,600 left in the wild. They are threatened because of deforesation which is destroying their habitats.
Diet
A wild giant panda’s diet is 99%(mostly) bamboo. The 1% consists of other grasses and occasional small rodents or musk deer fawns. In zoos, giant pandas eat bamboo, sugar cane, rice gruel, a special high-fiber biscuit, carrots, apples, and sweet potatoes.
The giant panda has lived in bamboo forests for several million years. It is a highly specialized animal, with unique adaptations.
Reproduction
Giant pandas reach breeding maturity between four and eight years of age. They may be reproductive until about age 20. Female pandas ovulate only once a year, in the spring. A short period of two to three days around ovulation is the only time she is able to conceive. Calls and scents draw males and females to each other.
Female giant pandas give birth between 95 and 160 days after mating. Although females may give birth to two young, usually only one survives. Giant panda cubs stay with their mothers from one and a half to three years before striking out on their own. This means a wild female, at best, can produce young only every other year; in her lifetime, she may successfully raise only five to eight cubs. The giant pandas’ naturally slow breeding rate prevents a population from recovering quickly from illegal hunting, habitat loss, and other human-related causes of mortality.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Panda
The giant panda, a black-and-white bear, has a body typical of bears. It has black fur on ears, eye patches, 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, it is said that the bold coloring provides effective camouflage into their shade-dappled snowy and rocky surroundings. The panda has a thick, wooly coat which keeps it warm in cool forests of its habitat. Giant pandas have large molar teeth and strong jaw muscles for crushing bamboo which is tough. Many people find these animals to be cute, but in fact, giant pandas can be as dangerous as any other bear. Mature giant pandas is able to reach four to six feet long. Males are always larger than females, weighing up to about 250 pounds in the wild. Females are rarely able to reach 220 pounds. Chinese scientists have reported that zoo pandas as old as 35.
Habitat
Giant pandas live in broadleaf and coniferous forests with a narrow understory of bamboo, at at heights between 5,000 and 10,000 feet.There are torrential rains or dense mist throughout the year so the forest is often shrouded in heavy clouds.
Status
The giant panda is listed as endangered because there are about 1,600 left in the wild. They are threatened because of deforesation which is destroying their habitats.
Diet
A wild giant panda’s diet is 99%(mostly) bamboo. The 1% consists of other grasses and occasional small rodents or musk deer fawns. In zoos, giant pandas eat bamboo, sugar cane, rice gruel, a special high-fiber biscuit, carrots, apples, and sweet potatoes.
The giant panda has lived in bamboo forests for several million years. It is a highly specialized animal, with unique adaptations.
Reproduction
Giant pandas reach breeding maturity between four and eight years of age. They may be reproductive until about age 20. Female pandas ovulate only once a year, in the spring. A short period of two to three days around ovulation is the only time she is able to conceive. Calls and scents draw males and females to each other.
Female giant pandas give birth between 95 and 160 days after mating. Although females may give birth to two young, usually only one survives. Giant panda cubs stay with their mothers from one and a half to three years before striking out on their own. This means a wild female, at best, can produce young only every other year; in her lifetime, she may successfully raise only five to eight cubs. The giant pandas’ naturally slow breeding rate prevents a population from recovering quickly from illegal hunting, habitat loss, and other human-related causes of mortality.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Panda
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