Panda, so beautiful and attractive, is increasingly used as an emblem of China, causing a sense of affection among foreigners. Indeed, the giant panda has become not only a symbol but also a 'national treasure' of China.
Sadly, today pandas are almost non-existent in their natural habitat, without human care. It is one of the most endangered and rare species - less than 2000 in the wild. More precisely, according to the 2014 census, only 1,864 giant pandas remain in the wild.
Panda: Everything you wanted to know
How big can a panda be?
The size of a giant panda is slightly smaller than that of an American black bear. The dimensions of the panda's "figurines" are approximately the same: 75 centimeters (2½ feet) tall and 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide (i.e. thick). The wild panda usually weighs about 60-73 kg (132-160 lbs), but the record weight was 110 kg (240 lbs). Males are about 1/6 larger than females. Note that captive pandas are usually larger and can weigh up to 150 kg (330 lbs). A panda's newborn calf weighs only about 100 grams. (0.2 LB), it is 1/900 of its mother's weight.
Panda: lifestyle
The lifestyle of a giant panda is a minimum of stress and long periods of loneliness. Pandas spend most of their time doing simple things: eating, resting or searching for food. They spend most of their lives alone. Males and females occur only during the breeding season in spring.
Where do pandas live?
China's national treasure - the charming pandas Giant pandas live in large bamboo forests on humid and relatively high mountain slopes. As a rule, they mark their territory to avoid a meeting with their brother with the help of smell. Giant pandas were once widespread throughout central, southern and eastern China, and in China's neighboring North Vietnam. However, their habitat has been drastically reduced by agriculture and deforestation. Currently, large pandas live mainly in the Qing Mountains of Shaanxi Province and the mountains of Sichuan and Gansu Provinces.
What do pandas eat?
99% of the diet of these cute animals is bamboo: stems, shoots, and leaves. Since bamboo is low in calories, one giant panda has to eat between 12 and 38 kg (26-84 lbs) of bamboo per day, up to 40% of its own weight, in order to eat properly. Therefore, pandas sometimes seem to be eating all the time, and spend up to 14 hours a day doing so. 1% of their food consists of other plants, herbs, fruits, insects; they can even eat meat from small animals if they can catch it. Pandas live in the wild for 15 to 20 years, and in captivity for much longer, up to 30 years. A female panda gives birth to one calf every two years. Since mating takes place in spring, the baby is born at the end of summer.
How to see the panda?
China's national treasure is the charming pandas. China is an interesting country with many architectural sights, beautiful hotels, and historical monuments. But, despite a lot of interesting things that can be seen in the country, many travelers travel to China to see the most charming sights of this country, the giant pandas. There are many places in China where you can look at these wonderful creatures, but the best go to the Chengdu Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province, the "hometown" of giant pandas. If you want to have a closer contact with the giant panda, then you need to go to the Nujiang valley. The kennel is located near Chengdu, and it is the only place that provides such a service, as serious precautions have been taken at other bases because of the pestilence. But you can also find a way to communicate with the cute bears in Chengdu itself, and all you have to do is volunteer to take care of pandas.