Giant Panda
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
- Where
- Mountain forests of central China
- Habitat
- Bamboo forests at high elevations (2,200-4,500m)
- Diet
- Almost exclusively bamboo (99% of diet), with occasional small animals
- Size
- Adult males: 5.8-6.2 ft / 175-190 cm tall; 250-260 lbs / 113-118 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years in wild, up to 30+ years in captivity
- Conservation
- Critically endangered due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and low birth rates—only around 1,800 individuals remain in the wild.
Fun Facts
- Pandas have special wrist bones that act like thumbs for grasping bamboo stalks.
- Giant pandas spend most of their day eating—up to 26-28 pounds (12 kg) daily!
- They're actually carnivores, but their digestive system adapted for bamboo.
Learn More
Distinct black and white markings serve as camouflage in snowy mountains.
Pandas have thick fur and a layer of fat to keep warm in cold climates.
Their powerful arms help them climb trees and maneuver through dense forests.