THE GIANT PANDA

Common Name: Giant PandaScientific Name: Ailuropoda melanoleuca

NAMES

Broadleaf and Coniferous ForestsDense Understory of BambooElevations of 5,000 to 10,000 feetHeavy cloud cover 

HABITAT

Size of a Black BearWeighs up to 250 pounds in the wildFemales rarely reach 220 pounds

Life and Life History

99% BambooSugar cane and apples in zoos

Diet

Black-and-white bear, has a body typical of bears. It has black fur on ears, eye patches, muzzle, legs,

and shoulders. 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.

Thick, wooly coat keeps it warm in the cool forests of its habitat.

Pandas have large molar teeth and strong jaw muscles for crushing tough bamboo.

Physical Description

Reaches maturity between 4 and 8 years of age

Stops reproducing at the age of 20Female pandas ovulate once a year

Reproduction

Low reproductive rateBamboo ShortagesHabitat DestructionHunting

Endangered Status(Why is the panda endangered?)

Wild-1,000In captivity, 100

Population Size

Chinese government has set aside 12 nature preserves

These are protected from development and construction.

Conservation Efforts

1. Why is the Giant Panda endangered?2. What is the current number for wild panda

populations?3. How often do female pandas ovulate?4. Where do Giant Pandas live?5. What does the panda’s diet consist of?

Quiz

http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/panda.html

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/PandaFacts/default.cfm

Bibliography