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THE GIANT PANDA. NAMES. Common Name: Giant Panda Scientific Name: Ailuropoda melanoleuca. HABITAT. Broadleaf and Coniferous Forests Dense Understory of Bamboo Elevations of 5,000 to 10,000 feet Heavy cloud cover. Life and Life History. Size of a Black Bear
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NAMES Common Name: Giant Panda Scientific Name: Ailuropoda melanoleuca
HABITAT • Broadleaf and Coniferous Forests • Dense Understory of Bamboo • Elevations of 5,000 to 10,000 feet • Heavy cloud cover
Life and Life History Size of a Black Bear Weighs up to 250 pounds in the wild Females rarely reach 220 pounds
Diet • 99% Bamboo • Sugar cane and apples in zoos
Physical Description • Black-and-white bear, has a body typical of bears. • It has black fur on ears, eye patches, muzzle, legs, and shoulders. • Rest of the animal's coat is white. Although scientists do not know why these unusual bears are black and white, some speculate that the • Bold coloring provides effective camouflage into their shade-dappled snowy and rocky surroundings. • Thick, wooly coat keeps it warm in the cool forests of its habitat. • Pandas have large molar teeth and strong jaw muscles for crushing tough bamboo.
Reproduction • Reaches maturity between 4 and 8 years of age • Stops reproducing at the age of 20 • Female pandas ovulate once a year
Endangered Status(Why is the panda endangered?) • Low reproductive rate • Bamboo Shortages • Habitat Destruction • Hunting
Population Size • Wild-1,000 • In captivity, 100
Conservation Efforts • Chinese government has set aside 12 nature preserves • These are protected from development and construction.
Quiz • 1. Why is the Giant Panda endangered? • 2. What is the current number for wild panda populations? • 3. How often do female pandas ovulate? • 4. Where do Giant Pandas live? • 5. What does the panda’s diet consist of?
Bibliography • http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/panda.html • http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/PandaFacts/default.cfm