Giant Panda
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
Description
Habitat
Interactions in Community
Giant pandas and roundworms have a parasitic relationship. Roundworms are the cause of death of half of the pandas. Pandas receive this parasite by licking their paws after stepping through waste containing roundworm eggs.
Endangered
Pandas have become endangered mainly because of habitat loss and their low birth rate. Human settlement on their territory, cutting down bamboo forests, and hunting for their fur have all been contributing factors to the population loss.
Pandas are on of the national symbols of China, and they are also the logo of WWF. Worldwide, pandas are a motivation to help save endangered animals because of their ability to draw people in and make them adore them. In the bamboo forests, pandas are also crucial for spreading seeds and promoting plant growth.
Bibliography
"Giant Panda." Smithsonite National Zoological Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013.
"Facts About Giant Pandas." Giant Pandas! N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013.
"Giant Panda." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 May 2013. Web. 09 Oct.
2013.
"Giant Panda." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013.