 PANDA FACTS AND
INFORMATION
 Our facts and information
is perfect for school reports, teachers, Panda Lovers and more!
General:
Panda Bears, cute and adorable, are on the endangered species list. Their
habitat, extremely limited diet and poor reproductive and infant survival
combine to extremely threaten their survival.There are two kinds of Pandas.
The giant white and black Panda is the one that comes to mind for most of
us. But, there is also the Red Panda which is also called the lesser Panda.
There are very few Pandas left in the wild and zoologists have been largely
unsuccessful in breeding them in captivity up to now. The Chinese government
has taken steps to protect these endangered animals.
Pandas are only found in a relatively small area in Asia. They date back
two to three
million years ago. Ancient chinese history and writings abound with mention
of the Panda. They were kept by emperors and their hides were highly valued.
They carried a mystique and were believed to be able to ward off evil spirits
and natural disasters.
Pandas live in and around mountainous slopes and exist on a diet largely
comprised of bamboo shoots. They eat most of the day to consume the food
they need for survival. There are about fifteen types of bamboo, reach with
varying life cycles. Panda Bears eat primarily bamboo shoots. As die-offs
in the bamboo cycle occur, the panda population also fall.
Westerners, in particular Americans, have a strong fondness for these cute
creatures. If you talk to a Chinese person, they do not share this same fondness
and wonder why we take such a liking to them.
The Giant Panda Bear:
The Giant Panda is white and black. An adult can grow to 3 1/2 to five feet
and weigh up to 350 pounds. In the wild, adult female pandas give birth once
a year and usually produce two cubs in the litter? A newborn cub will weigh
around 5 ounces is all white and blind at birth. The black spots develop
after about a month. A cub will begin to eat bamboo at about six months and
be fully weaned after nine months. At the end of the first year they are
about 70 to 80 pounds. The cubs will stay with their mother for about 1 1/2
years. A Panda reaches maturity at five to seven years and live in the wild
for about 25 years.
While we generally refer to pandas as "bears" there is much discussion around
whether they are bears, raccoons or their own species. They share some features
of bears and some of raccoons. Let's let the zoologists continue their debate
and we can focus on admiring these adorable creatures.
Did you Know? Giant Panda Bears do not hibernate during the winter.
Due to their leaner diets, they do not build u the excess fat needed to
hibernate.
Giant Pandas are an endangered species. There are only between 600 - 1000
in the wild. There are also about 60 in zoos around the world. Low reproductive
rates, high infant mortality rates, poaching and human settlement in the
Panda's territory are the primary causes of it's dwindling numbers. In addition,
Pandas are solitary creatures and brred in the wild infrequently.
Did you know? The Chinese word for Panda is "Xiongmao" or Giant Cat
Bear.
Giant Pandas live on mountainous slopes in western China and Eastern Tibet.
Sichuan province is home to many of these bears. Because of their limited
number, there are very few in zoos. The main diet is bamboo shoots. They
will also eat a small amount of fish and rodents. They range in very small
areas, of about one square mile. Females range in even smaller areas.
In 1972, the Chinese government gave two Giant Pandas (a male and a female)
to the U.S. They were given as a gesture of friendship for then President
Richard M. Nixon opening U.S. relations with China. the giant Pandas were
placed in the Washington zoo. The male was named Hsing-Hsing and the female
Ling-Ling. This author 's love for Pandas began with a visit to the zoo.
Ling-Ling died of heart failure in 1992. Hsing-Hsing at 28 years old, is
still alive, although he had cancer surgery in 1997. There are also two Pandas
in the San Diego zoo,
The bears mated and Ling-Ling gave birth to three sets of twins during the
1980's. Unfortunately, all of the cubs died shortly after birth. Since the
death of Ling-Ling there have been no Pandas in the U.S. Reproductive rates
of Pandas are low, with low fertility rates for both the male and female.
To make matters more difficult, the breeding period lasts a mere 24 - 48
hours.Major efforts are underway by both the Chinese and the U.S. to develop
successful artificial insemination of captive pandas to increase their numbers.
Hopes for the Panda Bears' long term survival probably depend on the success
of these programs.
For even more information, see the
American
Zoo and Aquarium Association(AZA)
Red Pandas or Lesser Panda:
While the Giant Panda is more like a bear, the Red Panda is more like the
Raccoon family. In physical appearance, it bears an unquestionable resemblance
to the raccoon. The Red Panda is reddish brown in color. It grows to about
two feet and weighs six to twelve pounds.
The Red Panda also lives in China and Tibet. In addition, it can be found
in Burma, India and Nepal. While the Giant Panda sticks mostly to the ground,
the Red Panda spends a lot of time in the trees. It's diet is broader. While
it eats bamboo, it also consumes acorns and roots.
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