Physical Description
Size
Giant pandas are bear-like in shape with striking black and white markings. The "Giant" Pandas are hardly "Giants". It would take about forty (40) giant pandas to weigh as much as one elephant. Adult giant pandas have a length of 160 to 180 centimeters (5 1/4 to 6 feet). The weight of an adult male giant panda is normally between 80 and 125 kilograms (176 and 276 pounds) with males typically weighing about 10% to 20% more than females -- about the same size as the American black bear. However, unlike the black bear, giant pandas do not hibernate and cannot walk on their hind legs.Giant panda have bilateral symmetry with a massive head, heavy body, short tail (approximately 5 inches), rounded ears and plantigrade feet. The throat of the giant panda has an esophagus with a tough, horny lining to protect the bear from injury by bamboo splinters. The stomach is similarly protected with its thick muscular wall linings.They have an enlarged wrist bone (the radial sesamoid) that works in the manner of an opposable thumb. This highly functional thumb allows the panda to manipulate bamboo stems and leaves, with dexterity and precision. The hind feet of the giant panda lacks the heel pad found in the other seven bear species.
Fur/Color
Pandas are mostly with white with black across their shoulders; on their arms, legs, and ears; and around their eyes. Some scientists speculate that their coloration provides camouflage during the winter. Other scientists feel that their conspicuous coat enables the solitary pandas to spot one another. This way, they can avoid each other during most of the year and for males and females can find one another during the breeding season.
Some scientists think that the pandas' black eyes and ears make them more intimidating. Large black eyes are threatening to many species. With their black ears, pandas may look as though they have two sets of eyes. When interacting with other pandas, an aggressive panda will bob its head and display both its eyes and ears, and a submissive panda will turn its head to the side or cover its eyes with its paws.
Body Structure
Pandas have large molars and large jaw muscles extending from their jaw to the top of their head that crush the fibrous plant material and tough stalks of their main food, bamboo. Pandas are most active at twilight and night. Their pupils have vertical slits, like snakes and many nocturnal animals, which allow them to see better at night. unlike Most bears' eyes the giant panda, whose pupils are vertical slits, like cats' eyes, are not rounded. These unusual eyes inspired the Chinese to call the panda the "giant cat bear." due to these eyes the Panda has very good eyesight.
Flexible forepaws and an enlarged wrist bone that works as an opposable thumb are useful for handling bamboo. They have an enlarged wrist bone (the radial sesamoid) that works in the manner of an opposable thumb. This highly functional thumb allows the panda to manipulate bamboo stems and leaves, with dexterity and precision. its muzzle is flatter than a bear's and its ears are short and rounded.
Giant pandas are bear-like in shape with striking black and white markings. The "Giant" Pandas are hardly "Giants". It would take about forty (40) giant pandas to weigh as much as one elephant. Adult giant pandas have a length of 160 to 180 centimeters (5 1/4 to 6 feet). The weight of an adult male giant panda is normally between 80 and 125 kilograms (176 and 276 pounds) with males typically weighing about 10% to 20% more than females -- about the same size as the American black bear. However, unlike the black bear, giant pandas do not hibernate and cannot walk on their hind legs.Giant panda have bilateral symmetry with a massive head, heavy body, short tail (approximately 5 inches), rounded ears and plantigrade feet. The throat of the giant panda has an esophagus with a tough, horny lining to protect the bear from injury by bamboo splinters. The stomach is similarly protected with its thick muscular wall linings.They have an enlarged wrist bone (the radial sesamoid) that works in the manner of an opposable thumb. This highly functional thumb allows the panda to manipulate bamboo stems and leaves, with dexterity and precision. The hind feet of the giant panda lacks the heel pad found in the other seven bear species.
Fur/Color
Pandas are mostly with white with black across their shoulders; on their arms, legs, and ears; and around their eyes. Some scientists speculate that their coloration provides camouflage during the winter. Other scientists feel that their conspicuous coat enables the solitary pandas to spot one another. This way, they can avoid each other during most of the year and for males and females can find one another during the breeding season.
Some scientists think that the pandas' black eyes and ears make them more intimidating. Large black eyes are threatening to many species. With their black ears, pandas may look as though they have two sets of eyes. When interacting with other pandas, an aggressive panda will bob its head and display both its eyes and ears, and a submissive panda will turn its head to the side or cover its eyes with its paws.
Body Structure
Pandas have large molars and large jaw muscles extending from their jaw to the top of their head that crush the fibrous plant material and tough stalks of their main food, bamboo. Pandas are most active at twilight and night. Their pupils have vertical slits, like snakes and many nocturnal animals, which allow them to see better at night. unlike Most bears' eyes the giant panda, whose pupils are vertical slits, like cats' eyes, are not rounded. These unusual eyes inspired the Chinese to call the panda the "giant cat bear." due to these eyes the Panda has very good eyesight.
Flexible forepaws and an enlarged wrist bone that works as an opposable thumb are useful for handling bamboo. They have an enlarged wrist bone (the radial sesamoid) that works in the manner of an opposable thumb. This highly functional thumb allows the panda to manipulate bamboo stems and leaves, with dexterity and precision. its muzzle is flatter than a bear's and its ears are short and rounded.