tethys
Experienced Poster
Posts : 4230
Join date : 2010-05-13
Age : 26
 |  Subject: Pandas  Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:43 pm | |
| This article is about the mammal in the bear family. For the Red Panda, see Red Panda. For the hip hop group, see Giant Panda (group). For other uses, see Panda (disambiguation).
The Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca, literally meaning "cat-foot black-and-white") is a bear[2] native to central-western and south western China.[3] It is easily recognized by its large, distinctive black patches around the eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. Though it belongs to the order Carnivora, the Giant Panda's diet is 99% bamboo.[4] Other parts of its diet include honey, eggs, fish, yams, shrub leaves, oranges, and bananas when available.
The Giant Panda lives in a few mountain ranges in central China, mainly in Sichuan province, but also in the Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. Due to farming, deforestation, and other development, the Giant Panda has been driven out of the lowland areas where it once lived.
The Giant Panda is a conservation reliant endangered species.[3] A 2007 report shows 239 Giant Pandas living in captivity inside China and another 27 outside the country.[5] Wild population estimates vary; one estimate shows that there are about 1,590 individuals living in the wild,[5] while a 2006 study via DNA analysis estimated that this figure could be as high as 2,000 to 3,000.[6] Some reports also show that the number of Giant Pandas in the wild is on the rise.[7][8] However, the IUCN does not believe there is enough certainty yet to reclassify the species from Endangered to Vulnerable.[1]
While the dragon has historically served as China's national emblem, in recent decades the Giant Panda has also served as an emblem for the country. Its image appears on a large number of modern Chinese commemorative silver, gold, and platinum coins. Though the Giant Panda is often assumed to be docile, it has been known to attack humans, presumably out of irritation rather than predation.
Last edited by Tethys Panda on Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:47 pm; edited 1 time in total | |
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Panda Heart
Posts : 120
Join date : 2010-01-02
Age : 29
Location : Currently trying to figure out where I am. oAo;
| | Subject: Re: Pandas Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:45 pm | |
| OH NOES. D8
What have I done?!?!?!?!
I'VE CREATED A MONSTER! | |
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Guest
Guest
| | Subject: Re: Pandas Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:47 pm | |
| Panda that's a beautifall self portrait |
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Panda Heart
Posts : 120
Join date : 2010-01-02
Age : 29
Location : Currently trying to figure out where I am. oAo;
| | Subject: Re: Pandas Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:49 pm | |
| I know. I shall paint it on my wall. | |
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Guest
Guest
| | Subject: Re: Pandas Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:50 pm | |
| I'm printing it out and hanging it above my bed Below in quotations "Panda Knows best |
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Panda Heart
Posts : 120
Join date : 2010-01-02
Age : 29
Location : Currently trying to figure out where I am. oAo;
| | Subject: Re: Pandas Mon Jun 28, 2010 3:52 pm | |
| AH! That's perfect. This is such a gorgeous painting. It's such a stunner. I wanna eat it all up. | |
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