Panda History
Fossil evidence suggests that the Pygmy Giant Panda (Ailuropoda microta) is the earliest known ancestor of the Giant Panda.
It was smaller, measuring around 1m (3 ft.) in length, while the modern Giant Panda grows to around 5 ft. The first discovered skull of the animal, in south China, is estimated to be 2 million years old.
This research indicates that the giant panda has evolved for more than 3 million years as a completely separate lineage than that of other bears.
The ancestors of the modern giant panda were widely distributed over much of eastern and southern China as far north as Beijing. They have also been found in northern Myanmar (Burma) and northern Vietnam. Part of these places, are still panda territory today.
Modern day pandas Today, pandas are considered one of the most charismatic animals, being a symbol of China and of nature conservation around the world.
The interest for the animal in the western world start in the late 19th century and beggining of the 20th century.
It was smaller, measuring around 1m (3 ft.) in length, while the modern Giant Panda grows to around 5 ft. The first discovered skull of the animal, in south China, is estimated to be 2 million years old.
This research indicates that the giant panda has evolved for more than 3 million years as a completely separate lineage than that of other bears.
The ancestors of the modern giant panda were widely distributed over much of eastern and southern China as far north as Beijing. They have also been found in northern Myanmar (Burma) and northern Vietnam. Part of these places, are still panda territory today.
Modern day pandas Today, pandas are considered one of the most charismatic animals, being a symbol of China and of nature conservation around the world.
The interest for the animal in the western world start in the late 19th century and beggining of the 20th century.