The Giant Panda is very high on the Endangered Species list. It is estimated that 1,000 individuals live in the wild while 60 live in captivity in zoos.

Although the Giant Panda looks like a bear, it is more closely related to the raccoon.

Description

Distinguishing Features - Length: 1.8 m; weight: 90 - 135 kg. Overall colouration: white; legs, shoulders, ears and the oval patches around eyes are blackish brown.

Habitat

Native to Szechuan, Shensi and Kansu provinces of central and western China; in bamboo and coniferous forests at higher elevations.

Diet

Primarily bamboo; also herbs, vines, grasses, honey and rodents.

Notes

Pandas are solitary animals that spend most of the day feeding. Unlike their bear cousins, pandas do not hibernate. When the weather becomes cold in the forest, they move to lower elevations during the winter.

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