Living with in the mountains of southwestern China, Panda bears are identified by their patches of black and white fur, and their love for bamboo.

Panda bears are now endangered with approximately only about 1000 of them left in the wild. This is due to their low breeding rate, destruction of their habitat, and shortage of food by expanding cities, as well as hunting.

Diet

Panda bears are of the mammal family and are carnivores though their diet consists mostly of Bamboo shoots and leaves.

Panda's are known to spend about 12 hours a day eating. Eating as much as 84 pounds of bamboo a day.

The Panda's unique wrist bone allows them to grasp the stalk and use their teeth to get to the soft tissue on the inside.

Breeding Habits

Pandas are known to be solitary creatures which means that their breeding habits are less then that of other animals.
Mating in the spring the Panda's have only one or two cubs born in late summer.

Newborn are hairless, weighing only about 4 oz. After the birth of her cubs the mother will not leave the den for several days to eat or drink. Despite this fact, researchers say that it is unusual for more then one cub to survive, after birth.

The Panda's Habitat

Panda's do not have permanent habitats like that of other bears. They are known to sleep where they are feeding as well as under sheltered places or in trees.

The Call of the Panda

Studies that have been done in the natural enviroment of the Panda have shown us that they are vocal animals and do have their own distinct calls, currently 11 have been identified, but as of yet their meanings are unknown.

Preserving the Panda

To ensure the conservation of the Panda the Chinese government has set up reserves in order to preserve the natural enviroment of the Panda.
There is also about 100 Panda's in captivity allowing us to
study the Panda in an attempt to assist with the conservation of the Panda, while allowing us to one day hopefully increase the number of Panda in the wild.