Vulnerable Giant Panda
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
Also known as: Panda Bear
The Giant Panda is a bear species endemic to China, instantly identifiable by its bold black-and-white coat. Although they belong to the order Carnivora, they have evolved to subsist almost entirely on bamboo, eating up to 38 kg a day to meet their energy needs. They possess a unique 'pseudo-thumb', which is actually an enlarged wrist bone, allowing them to grip bamboo stems with surprising dexterity.
Did you know?
Despite being classified as carnivores, over 99% of a panda's diet is bamboo! Quick Facts
Detailed Information on the Giant Panda
Weight
100 kg
Height
90 cm
Length
150 cm
Top Speed
32
km/h
Social Structure:
Solitary
Activity Pattern:
Crepuscular
Trophic Level: Herbivore (Specialist)
Migration: Resident (Altitudinal migration)
Population Trend: Increasing
Main Threats:
- Habitat fragmentation
- Climate change (bamboo die-offs)
Wolong National Nature Reserve (China)
Family: Ursidae
Order: Carnivora
