Where Panda Bears Live

Pandas Diet

Key terms




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Where pandas live

Giant pandas are black and white bears that live in temperate-zone bamboo

forests in central China. Among the best recognized--but rarest--animals in the

world, they have come to symbolize endangered species and conservation efforts.

Pandas Diet

Giant pandas are biologically unique. Though they are closely related

to bears and have a digestive system of a carnivore, long ago they

adapted to a vegetarian diet and unlike their omnivorous cousins,

depend almost exclusively on bamboo as a food source. Not designed

to process plant matter, the panda's digestive system cannot easily break down the cellulose in bamboo, so pandas must eat huge amounts - as much as 83 lbs., and for up to 14 hours, each day. This means the panda's survival is inextricably linked to constant access to good feeding areas.

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key Terms

SIZES

Height when walking on all fours: 27-31 inches Heigh when standing: 5 feet Weight: Males, 220-330 lbs; Females, about %10 smaller

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 4-5 years Mating season: mid-March to early May, although a female is only in heat for 3-4 days, which makes it hard for them to reproduce Gestation: 97-163 days Number of young: 2 cubs

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