The Giant Panda
Group: Mammals
The Giant Panda
Description
The giant panda (Ailuropoda Melanoleuca) is a mammal and has fur. Most giant pandas weigh 220-250 pounds and are about 6 feet tall standing and 3 feet on all fours. Giant pandas do not communicate like other animals, they use scent marking to communicate. (All)
Habitat
The giant panda appeared 2-3 milion years ago. They live on a high mountainous forest areas usually 2,700-3,700 meters above sea level. They originally lived in south/east China, Myanmar, and northern Vietnam. They now live on isolated forests in Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi provinces in China. The giant panda lives in caves and wonders in the forest. They live in sunny and windy weathers. (Wiki) (WWF)
Adaptation
The giant panda has cat like pupils, flat teeth for chewing, and sharp teeth for biting bamboo. The Giant panda does not hibernate because bamboo is available all year long in their habitat, and they must eat all the time. They move to lower elevations for warmer temperatures. (WWF) (Wiki)
Food Chain
The giant panda eats bamboo, grass, root plants, and sometimes meat. The giant panda is an omnivore. The giant pandas predators are red foxes, dholes, wild dogs, leopards, and humans. The pandas preys are small mammals, fish, and rodents. (NZ)
Reasons For Being Endangered
The giant panda's major reason for endangerment is habitat loss. Bamboo takes a long time to grow. They are also getting killed by careless people. (AP) (NG)
Critical Information
Giant pandas are very cute and awesome animals. They are very popular. Problem is they are endangered and leave people like me sad. Please donate to the Endangered Animal Foundation. Save the pandas and their habitat. (WAF)
Bibliography
De Wetter, Bernard. "Giant Panda." WWF. Web. 30 May 2012. http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/giantpanda/panda.html.
"Giant Panda." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 29 May 2012. Web. 30 May 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_panda.
Han Guan, Ng. "Giant Panda." Animal Planet :: Mammal Guide -- Temperate Forest. 30 May 2012. Web. 30 May 2012. http://animal.discovery.com/guides/mammals/habitat/tempforest/giantpanda.html.
Nichols, Michael. "Giant Panda." National Geographic. Web. 30 May 2012. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/giant-panda/?source=A-to-Z.
"The Giant Panda." Giant Panda Facts - National Zoo| FONZ. Web. 30 May 2012. http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/PandaFacts/default.cfm.