March 16, 2022
Let’s celebrate the fluffiest, bamboo-munching bears that we all adore.
It is reported that there are less than 2,000 pandas left in the wild, due to habitat loss, farming, fur hunting, and other factors.
Pandas only live about 15 to 20 years in the wild, but those in captivity can live even longer.
Here are a few fun facts about pandas.
Pandas Have 6 Fingers
A panda’s 6th “finger” is like a human thumb. It has the same function as a thumb, but it is actually an unusual wrist bone or opposable paw heel with strong muscles but no movable joints, which allows it to grasp food. They can press the bamboo into fat cigar shapes with their 6th digits for efficient eating.
Eating and Sleeping
A typical 100-pound adult spends as long as 12 hours eating 26 to 84 lbs. of bamboo a day. In captivity, Pandas can reach 330 lb and eat even more!. When not eating and looking for food, pandas sleep most of the rest of the time. In the wild, giant pandas sleep for two to four hours between feeds.
Pandas Are Loners
Giant pandas are solitary animals. In the wild, they have their own territory, and they do not allow it to be invaded by other pandas. That’s because giant pandas feed on bamboo and do not need to hunt cooperatively. They need to eat a lot of bamboo to meet their nutritional needs. If giant pandas lived in groups, there would be conflict over getting enough bamboo, which would negatively affect the survival of all.
Panda Cubs are Pink
Baby pandas are born pink and are about the size of a pencil! They are also born blind and only open their eyes six to eight weeks after birth.. Their iconic black and white color coat grows after about three weeks.