The giant panda, also known as panda bear or simply panda, is a bear native to south central China. It is easily recognized by the large, distinctive black patches around its eyes, over the ears, and across its round body.
Fast Facts about Giant Panda
1. The eyespots of a giant panda cub are initially in the shape of a circle. As the cub grows, the circles become shaped like a teardrop.
2. They seem pretty quiet, but giant pandas can bleat, roar, growl, and honk.
Also Read: 10 Amazing Animal Facts (Tortoise)
3. A giant panda cub weighs only around 150 grams (5 oz) at birth. Adult males can weigh up to 150 kg (330 lb).
4. When pandas are between 4-8 years of age, they reach maturity and can reproduce. However, female pandas are only able to become pregnant for 2-3 days each spring!
5. The giant panda is a solitary animal, which spends about two-thirds of its day feeding and the remainder resting.
6. Bamboo makes up nearly the entire diet of the panda. There are about 20 different species of bamboo that pandas will eat. However bamboo is so nutritionally poor that the pandas have to consume up to 20kg each day, which can take up to 16 hours.
7. Pandas are skilled tree-climbers and efficient swimmers. Pandas can takes refuge in the nearest tree when in danger from predators such as brown bears, leopards, or wild dogs. Its paws are broad with long retractile claws and furry undersides which help it grip when climbing.
Also Read: 10 Amazing Animal Facts (Dog)
8. A panda’s paw has six digits—five fingers and an opposable pseudo-thumb (actually an enlarged wrist bone) it uses merely to hold bamboo while eating.
9. Female pandas raise cubs on their own (the male leaves after mating).
10. Giant panda have a lifespan of around 20 years in the wild.
