Endangered species
Pandas!
Why are they endangered?
- Habitat loss- Humans continually cut down the forests.
- Starvation- Bamboo grows slowly, and since people are cutting down the forest, it makes it harder for them to find a food supply.
- Hunting- They've been getting hunted for the past 100 years.
- Low birthrate- Pandas only reproduce once a year.(WIKI)
DIET
~Carnivore.(WIKI) ~Bamboo is 99% of a pandas diet(WWF) ~The other 1% of their diet is mostly stems, fruits, and leaves. ~Pandas must eat up to 12-33kg of nutrients a day.(WWF) ~Spends up to 10-16 hours a day eating.(NGK) ~
HABITAT
~Most pandas prefer living alone(WWF) ~Females live in hollow trees or stay in caves while giving birth. (WWF) ~After a female and male panda mate, the male leaves the female to raise the cub.(WWF)
LIFE
~The lifespan of a panda is around about 14 to 20 years in the wild and up to 30 in managed care by humans. (SDZ) ~Reproduces once every year(WWF) ~The female can give birth to up to two cubs at one time.(WWF) ~In the wild, a panda gestation period is from 129-159 days and in captivity, from 84-160 days.(WWF)
PHYSICAL FEATURES
~Black and white colored fur, with black patches around their eyes. Their black ears act like a second pair of eyes.(NG) ~Giant pandas have forepaws which are really flexible.
COMMUNICATION
~They usually leave their scent on a tree, or make different facial expressions. (WIKI)
PREDATORS
~Pandas don't have to worry about predators because they are excellent climbers, swimmers, and can hear from far distance.(WIKI) ~The cubs are very cautiously protected by their mother.(WIKI)
CRITICAL INFORMATION:
- An organization such as http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/giantpanda/panda.html is working hard to increase the protection for pandas everywhere, creating new capacities for nature reserve management, and allows you to adopt your very own panda!(WWF)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-giant_panda.html
www.chinahighlights.com/giant-panda/life-cycle.htm
nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/pandafacts/default.ctf