Panda

The Panda is a large mammal which is about the same size as a Black
Bear. Giant pandas bears have a massive head, heavy body, short tail,
rounded ears and plantigrade feet (both heel and toe make contact with the
ground when walking in a manner similar to humans). Adult Pandas grow to
be about 5-6 feet high. They will weigh up to 276 pounds and males
weighing 10% to 20% more than females. Giant pandas, with their short
claws, are capable of climbing trees very easily and effortless.

With few other enemies other than people, the lifespan of a wild Panda is
about 25 years or more. The head of a Panda is very large and has
developed special molars for chewing plants and other thinks they like to
eat. It has powerful muscles which extend from the top of its head to the
jaws giving it the ability to crush very tough stalks.

The basic fur color of the giant panda is white with black eye patches, ears,
legs, feet, chest, and shoulders. Within its natural environment (pandas live
in the deep forest and at upper elevations, snow and rock), its mottled
coloring provides camouflage. There is also speculation that its striking
colour patterns may be a clear message to other pandas to stay away from
ones territory.

The fur of the giant panda is thick and coarse. It consists of a coarse outer
layer and a very dense, wooly-like underfur. To the touch, the fur feels oily.
This oily protective coating helps and protects pandas from the cool and
damp climate in which they live (Suzuki, 2008, p.3).

On average, Panda spends about 14 hours a day looking for food.

When pandas are born they are blind and very small. They weigh from 3 to 4
1/2 ounces which is about the size of a chipmunk. They start out with fine
white fur and will get the correct colored fur within a month of birth or some
time later. Giant panda cubs are eating bamboo by the time they are 5 to 6
months old and are fully weaned by the time they are 9 months of age. At
one year of age, the cubs normally weigh is compared with 75 pounds of
bamboo.

Adult Pandas can eat as much of bamboo as they can in hours time.
Occasionally, Pandas eat grass, bark, stem, leaf, vine, tree fungus and some
wild roots. Sometimes they also catch or scavenge upon bamboo rats. Giant
Pandas don't hibernate in the winter. They continue to eat Bamboo and
thrive in the area. Pandas are among the most seriously endangered species
alive today. Until recently, Giant Pandas were disappearing at an alarming
rate. As human populations expand, bamboo forests, the Giant Panda's
natural habitat shrinks and they have nothing to eat.

The Panda is such a majestic creature. It is difficult to imagine wild world

without pandas around in the forests. Until people realize that Pandas are
such great creatures and that they deserve home, the Pandas will be in
danger of extinction.