Mammals: THE GIANT PANDA

A giant panda is a black and white bear.  It has black fur on ears, eye patches, legs, and shoulders. The rest of the animal's coat is white. Although fairly big, the giant panda isn't really all that giant. It can grow up to about three feet tall and six feet long when standing on all four legs. The female pandas are generally smaller than the males. They like dense temperate forests with lots of bamboo. 

What do giant pandas eat?

Giant pandas primarily eat bamboo, but they are carnivores meaning they do eat some meat. Besides bamboo, they will sometimes eat eggs, some small animals, and other plants. Since bamboo doesn't have a lot of nutrition, pandas have to eat a lot of bamboo to stay healthy. As a result, they end up spending most of the day eating. They have giant molars to help them crush the bamboo. 

Cute Panda Eating Bamboo

FUN FACTS

Although the giant panda eats mostly bamboo and looks very cute and cuddly, it can be dangerous to humans.

The panda is depicted on some Chinese coins.

The Chinese word for the giant panda is daxiongmao. It means giant bear-cat.

There are over 3.8 million acres of wildlife reserves in China to protect the Panda's habitat.

Giant pandas do not hibernate like some bears.

Panda cubs don't open their eyes until they are six to eight weeks old and they weigh between three to five ounces. That's about the size of a candy bar!

The Staring Contest

 

Ahh.. Something is stuck in my teeth

 

GOODNIGHT