For centuries, the idea of a black and white bear seemed nothing more than a myth. After all, ancient Chinese texts seldom mentioned these creatures, and it wasn’t until the 1880s that Western explorers first laid eyes on these docile, forest-dwelling creatures. However, since their official discovery (and subsequent debut in many zoos worldwide), “pandamania” is here to stay.
The story of the giant panda is one of resilience and proof that conservation can bring back threatened species from the brink of extinction. Here are six strange facts to know!
1. Pandas Rarely Encounter Humans
Giant pandas are native to the temperate forests in the mountains of south-central China, in the Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. They also dwell in the lowlands but are pushed out of those areas due to land developments, farming, and forest clearings.
They’re shy and rarely go into regions inhabited by people. To date, National Geographic estimates that there are at least 1,800 giant pandas in the wild, with 300 residing in reputable zoos and sanctuaries.
2. Pandas Live Alone and Prefer Isolation
Unlike many animals that live in the wild, giant pandas are solitary mammals. They only socialize when needed, and vocalize by chirping, honking, bleating, chomping, and even barking!
Pandas rarely develop any emotional attachments with other creatures, and even with their kind, they will only spend time together after childbirth or mating. They’re also considered one of the worst mothers in the animal kingdom. After all, while a panda mother may give birth to two cubs, she’ll only turn her full attention to one.
3. Pandas Are Born Blind and Hairless
A newborn baby panda is tiny, about the size of a stick of butter. It’s also pink, hairless, and blind. Needless to say, they’re very different from adult pandas! An adult female panda can reach 200 pounds, while a male panda can reach nearly 300 pounds.
The life cycle of a panda can be categorized into teenage years, adulthood (or prime), and old age. Pandas take around five years to be fully grown, so ages one to five years is considered their teenage years, while five to 18 years is their prime. Anything above that is considered old age.
In the wild, the life expectancy of a panda is around 15 to 20 years, while in captivity, they can reach up to 35 years. The oldest panda in the world reportedly lived to 38 years old!
4. Pandas’ Coloration Remains a Mystery
Although they are born pink, wrinkly, and blind, giant pandas develop fast. In the 48 hours after birth, white fur will start to grow, followed by black markings around the eyes. Then, eventually, they will develop their whole markings within a month.
Scientists aren’t exactly sure why these bears have such distinctive colors and patterns. Yet, they believe these black-and-white markings may have several functions. The main function is to hide them from predators. The white marks will help them camouflage in the snow, while the black markings will help them hide in the forests, where they might be prey for leopards and other animals. The patches on their faces are also used to recognize one another.
They also use their black markings to show dominance and needed aggressiveness to would be predators. Thankfully, full-grown pandas are rarely threatened by other animals, although apex predators may attempt to steal and eat their cubs.
5. Pandas Have Inefficient Digestive Systems
Pandas have a very inefficient digestive system, as they only digest about one-fifth of everything they eat. That’s why giant pandas can spend up to 12 hours eating and foraging for bamboo daily. They must eat about 15% of their total body weight, which equates to around 30 pounds of bamboo for a 200-pound panda.
Pandas also poop frequently daily because their diet consists mostly of fiber. Their digestive tracts are designed to pass those every day. Panda’s inefficient digestive system happens because of their failure to adapt to their new herbivore life. That’s right; giant pandas used to be omnivorous, but then became herbivores.
6. Pandas Poop While Sleeping
Pandas are known to require a lot of resting time. Giant pandas usually rest between their eating times, and nap for around two to four hours during each feeding period.
What’s even more unique is that pandas can poop while sleeping. For a two-hour nap, they can defecate around five to 10 times. If it’s a longer sleep, it can even reach anywhere up to 25 droppings. They often take longer naps during summer due to the heat.
Pandas can easily sleep anywhere if needed since they’re large in stature and don’t usually have any predators to worry about. Their preferred spot would be on the forest floor, but because they’re strong climbers, pandas can also sleep in trees.
