The Giant Panda

Giant Pandas live in a few mountain ranges in China. They used to live in the lowlands but agricultural practices have forced them into the mountains. Pandas live in broad-leaf and coniferous forests , these places have bamboo shoots from a height of 5,000 to 10 000 feet. The forests are subject to torrential rains and are often covered by heavy clouds.

The Giant panda is a typical shape for a bear. It has black fur on its ears , eye-patches , muzzle , legs and shoulders. The rest of the body is white. Scientists think that the bold coloring acts as a camouflage against their surroundings. Pandas have large molars and strong jaws for crushing bamboo shoots. Although they may appear endearing , they are just as dangerous as other bears.

Giant Pandas are between  2-3 feet tall at the shoulder when standing on a fours and can reach a length of 6 feet long. Males are heavier than females and can weigh up to 250 pounds in the wild. Females rarely reach 220 pounds.

In the wild pandas will eat bamboo shoots as 99% of their diet. Occasionally they eat other grasses , small rodents and musk deer fawns. In captivity pandas will eat bamboo , sugar cane , rice gruel , high fiber biscuits, carrots , apples and sweet potatoes.