Why Do Pandas Exist?

With a touch of humor, geology, evolutionary theory, biology, cartoon characters and even some references to baseball, The Panda’s Thumb definitely makes excellent reading for people with all types of interests. The old cliché, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” or in this case, title, holds true for The Panda’s Thumb. Theories concerning adaptations of the panda are only a fraction of the many exciting facts held within the pages of this publication. Gould is able to put what he writes about in words that are easy to understand without compromising the quality of the information. Many questions are raised in this book. Some questions that science just can’t answer at the

The Red Panda is part of the endangered species due to the decline of their habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and inbreeding depression, although red pandas are protected by national laws in their range countries. According to the recent data by IUCN “Red Panda is listed as Endangered because its population has plausibly declined by 50% over the last three generations (estimated at 18 years) and this decline is projected to continue, and probably intensify, in the next three generations.” This is due to the fact that their natural habitat is shrinking as more and more forests are destroyed. Red Pandas are often difficult to be seen in its favored habitat in the bamboo forests in the Eastern Himalayas. Less than 10,000 exist in the wild today, threatened by habitat loss, grazing pressures and hunting. “Red pandas are often killed when they get caught in traps meant for other animals such as wild pigs and deer. They are also poached for their

Pandas have evolved. Most of its adaptations are from the bamboo it eats to survive. An adaptation it has to help it eat different types of bamboos is its sixth toe. The Panda's thumb is actually an extension of the wrist bone, and It’s a very important adaptation for the Panda so that it can eat so much Bamboo. They have big heads because they need strong jaws since bamboo is a strong, hard plant.

The Red Panda’s habitat is in the temperate forests in the Himalayas. These high mountain slopes tend to be covered with bamboo which is crucial to the Red Panda’s survival. The Red Panda is extinct from certain areas and population numbers are decreasing very fast in others. The Red Panda is an omnivore and its prey is bamboo, berries, and eggs. The Red Panda’s predators are snow leopards, marten, and humans. The Red Panda is red, brown, and white. The Red Panda is 24in- 47in and is 7lbs- 14lbs.

Fluffy fur keeps the red panda warm in the winter. They also have a false thumb as an extension of their wrist. Another thing is that their red fluffy tail is actually a stabilizer for running in

The Giant Panda is a creature of mystery. Adults and children alike appreciate it for its cute, fuzzy, lovable qualities, but it is an animal that is in desperate need of immediate attention. Scientists know the basics: how and what they eat, where and how they live, and how they reproduce. The fact remains, however, that this universally loved national symbol of China is facing the threat of extinction. What accounts for this fact and what can be or is being done to protect the panda from such a fate? This paper will discuss the characteristics and lifestyle of the panda as well as issues and questions that arise as a result of the threat of their extinction.

Panda bears color is black and white. Pandas height is about 2-3 feet long. A panda’s biggest like 150-220 lbs. Hundreds of years ago person’s would raise a picture of a panda. In New York city, they keep pandas in the zoo.

Ailuropoda melanoleuca and Ailurus fulgens, or commonly referred to as the Giant Panda and Red Panda, are the two types of panda species that inhabit this earth. Both of these are mammals are genetically unrelated. The Giant Panda is part of the Ursidae, bear, family. Whereas the Red Panda is a member of its own family, Ailuridae. Although they may not be genetically related, they hold many a few of the same traits. This includes; habitat, eating habits, and conservation status. Although, they still hold many more differences from each other including; size, shape and body, color, diet, lifestyle, reproduction, and lifespan. Perhaps the most obvious difference is their physical features. The Giant Panda has large distinctive black patches around

Pandas are mostly vegetarians but they do eat some meat. They mostly eat bamboo and leaves. On (wwf.panda.org) it says that pandas mainly eat bamboo their second chose are leaves and some meat. A panda's main diet is bamboo, but they eat one percent of meat which is smaller prey like, mice, rats, pikas, and other small rodents. Meat is not their main food they eat meat so they get protean. Giant pandas also like to eat stems and shoots of various bamboo species. They eat plants because that is how they get their energy.

Had you guys ever thought about if Pandas were carnivores or omnivores? Well Panda’s Anatomy is really interesting to learn about. Pandas are mammals and omnivores. This creature is warm blooded and they also make their own babies during mating season. Pandas are omnivores who eats plants

Because of their low-energy diet they avoid stressful situations, preferring shallow slopes and solitary living. They use scent markers to avoid one another. Giant pandas don’t roar like other bears, but baaaa like goats, or or honk, growl and bark to talk. Cubs whine and croak for attention.

Ailuropoda melanoleuca have stocky bodies with a round head, that contains a large muscular jaw, and a short tail. The body is a white color, although, the limbs, ears, shoulders, and eyes are a black color. In some areas, the black color has a chestnut-red colored tinge to it. On the panda’s palms, there is an extra pseudo thumb, which is also known as “the panda’s thumb”. The name masks what it really is because the extra “thumb” is a pad of skin that protects a wrist bone. The height of one panda ranges from a little less than five feet to almost six feet while their weight can range between 176 to 275 pounds.

This species of panda is around the size of a cat, and its habitat is the mountainous slopes of the Himalayas. It typically eats fruit such as berries from where it lives in the mountains. This panda also loves to eat bamboo and other things like eggs. This panda is a very beautiful maroon colored layered fur and has one stripe on its face. Unfortunately, this specie of panda is actually endangered due to habitat loss. The skin type of this panda is soft and thick fur covering its whole body.

Even though the red panda shares the same name with the giant panda, they are not closely related. The red panda is much smaller than the giant panda and the red panda has no close living relatives. However, like giant pandas, they are bamboo eaters and native to the high forests of Asia. Red pandas grow to about the same size as a large house cat, but their big bushy tails add an additional 18 inches to their length. One fun fact is that red pandas use their bushy tails as blankets to help with the chilly climate. “Their rusty colored thick fur covers their body with the exception of their almost white colored ears, cheeks, muzzle, and spots above their eyes”(A-Z Animals). Another characteristic the red panda has, is that they have reddish brown stripes that go down either side of their white muzzle. To help aid red pandas to climb, they have semi-retractable claws, which also help them stay balanced on branches. Just “like the giant panda, the red panda also has an extended wrist bone which acts like a thumb, allowing them to hold onto bamboo while they are chewing on it” (A-Z Animals). Red Panda is their common name, but Ailurus fulgens is their scientific name. Red pandas are carnivora and unlike giant pandas, they eat a lot of other foods besides bamboo, such as fruit, acorns, roots, and eggs.

What animal is black and white and loved all over the world? If you guessed the giant panda, you're right! The giant panda is also known as the panda bear, bamboo bear, or in Chinese as Daxiongmao, the "large bear cat." Actually, its scientific name means "black and white cat-footed animal." Giant pandas are found only in the mountains of central China. They live in dense bamboo and coniferous forests at altitudes of 5,000 to 10,000 feet. The mountains are covered in heavy clouds with torrential rains or dense mist throughout the year. Giant pandas are bear-like in shape with striking black and white markings.