Giant Panda Facts
Fascinating Giant Panda Facts
Although the creature has a familiar semblance with people, many are not aware of the many interesting giant panda facts that truly identify this bear as a unique part of our wild kingdom.
One of the most important giant panda facts that every person should know is that this beautiful and wondrous bear is on the endangered species list. It is actually the poster child of the WWF, and has been since its inception in 1961. Decreasing habitat for the giant panda was the original problem; people continue to clear territory, rich in the bamboo the panda needs for nourishment. As the number of bamboo forests decline, so do the numbers of giant panda. Facts show that pandas reproduce slowly; having only one cub per year so they are unable to rebuild their species. Fortunately, the Chinese government has set up protected reserves for the panda to help them.
The adorable markings on the panda are the earmarks of recognition to most. A thick, white coat covers the bear, with accents of black around the eyes, on the ears, the forefeet with a wide band encircling the bear’s trunk and the back legs. Scientists are unsure as to why the coloration of the giant panda are white and black, although prevalent thoughts are that they are used to identify each other as they stand out in the forest environment.
A solitary animal, giant panda facts show that the bear remains alone in its territory munching on bamboo for much of the day. With the arrival of spring, mating begins; the female alerts the males to her readiness through scent and calls. Males may compete for the mating honors, and the female may mate several times with different males over a period of 2 to 3 days. Gestation lasts about 90-150 days, when a single cub is born; tiny in size and totally dependant on its mother for the first several months. It will stay with its mother for the first 18 to 24 months of its life.
An interesting and unusual item in the list of giant panda facts is that the bear was originally designed to be a carnivore. For some reason over the years, the species has become herbivore, although its digestive system remains that of a meat eater. It could be that the slow moving panda could not compete with more fierce carnivores for food, and made the change for survival.
The giant panda is truly one of the most unique in the animal kingdom. It should be hoped that the conservation efforts currently in place will be sufficient to save this beautiful giant panda; facts prove that, so far at least, population numbers seem to be creeping up. Protection of the bear and its habitat will keep the giant panda in the wild for future generations to admire.