The giant panda is an iconic species and loved around the world for its cute appearance and general adorableness. Find out more about this charismatic species!
1. Pandas can do handstands (kinda!)
The giant panda is skilled at climbing trees, but did you know male pandas can also climb a tree backwards with their hind legs? They do this until they reach a handstand position so they can mark their territory with their scent higher up a tree.
2. Pandas are vegetarians
Despite having a digestive system more typical of a carnivore, pandas are 99% vegetarian eating bamboo roots, stems, shoots and leaves.
3. Bamboo for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Pandas spend most of their day eating huge amounts of bamboo to get their nutritional requirements. They can eat up to about 40kg of bamboo in a single day!
4. A thumbs up for pandas
The giant panda, has evolved with an extended wrist bone that they use like a thumb to get a good grip on bamboo while eating. This is sometimes called a ‘false thumb’.
5. Natural camouflage
The giant panda's distinctive markings provide the bear with handy camouflage. Most of the panda is white to help it hide in snowy habitats while its arms and legs are black and provide camouflage in the shade.
6. Branching out
Although the red panda and giant panda share (half) a name they are not close relatives. The red panda is in its own unique family tree - excuse the pun! However, they both enjoy a diet of bamboo. In fact, the name panda is said to come from the Nepali word ‘ponya,’ which means bamboo or plant-eating animal.
7. The panda is an umbrella species
Pandas are considered an ‘umbrella species’, which means conservation measures to protect the panda and its forest habitat benefit other animals sharing the same habitat/ecosystem. This includes the golden monkey, takin, and crested ibis.
8. An icon - literally
A giant panda named Chi-Chi living at the London Zoo in 1961 inspired the WWF logo. WWF’s founders were looking for a recognisable symbol that would overcome all language barriers. We think they made an excellent choice!
9. A conservation success story
In the 1980s, it was estimated that just over 1,000 pandas remained in the wild. Now, the population has increased to about 1,860. While the giant panda remains at risk and has a conservation status of ‘vulnerable’, it’s great to see their numbers increasing!
10. An embarrassment ?!
Do you know what a group of pandas are called? You might have guessed ‘a pandemonium’! However, a group of panda bears is actually known as ‘an embarrassment’. How cute is that? Do you know your animal collective nouns? Test your knowledge with our quiz here.