Giant Panda Characteristics of Giant Pandas The scientific name of Giant Panda is Ailuropoda melanoleuca, which means 'cat-footed animals in black and white color'. An adult panda can be as tall as 1.6 to 1.8 meters with body weight ranging from 60 to 160 kg. Male Giant Pandas are larger than females, and they weigh about l0to 20% heavier. The head of the Giant Panda is large, with a broad round face, flat nose and round protruding ears. Surrounding the eyes are the characteristic black patches. The ears, limbs and shoulders are covered with black fur while the fur on the other parts of the body is white. Scientists believe that the black and white coloration helps Giant Pandas avoid contact with each other. However, at the same time, this distinctive coloration can help them find each other easily during mating seasons. The fur of the Giant Panda is actually rough, short and very dense. The oily nature of the fur can prevent penetration of moisture, which is an important adaptation to living in humid environment. Giant Pandas' ability to see far is weak. However, their auditory and olfactory (嗅觉) senses are very strong. Habitat of Giant Pandas They are solely found in Sichuan, and the southwestern parts of Gansu and Shanxi provinces. The Giant Pandas live in bamboo forests ranging from 4,000 to 11,000 feet above sea level, where it is humid. In winter, they migrate lower down the mountains, while in summer they stay in the higher reaches. The male's home range is larger than that of the female. A male's home range can be up to 30 square kilometers. Behavior. of Giant Pandas Giant Pandas are most active in the morning and at dusk. Giant Pandas sleep hidden away inside caves and dens which may be a hollow at the bottom of a large tree truck. Giant Pandas are solitary animals. They spend their lives alone, except during mating seasons or when females rear their young. Giant Pandas live in well-defined territories. Giant Pandas urinate (小便) or scent on trees to warn others of their presence in the territory. They also vocalize, producing sounds such as roaring or bleating (similar to that of a domestic goat), to convey to the others their intentions. Giant Pandas defecate (排便) about 48 times a day. In the wild, defecates are useful research materials for scientists, from them information regarding the individual pandas, such as health conditions, and the size of the population in the area, can be gained. Diet of Giant Pandas The Giant Pandas' diet is very specific, consisting entirely of bamboo. As pandas can only absorb about 10-18% of nutrients available in the bamboo they eat, it is necessary for them to cat more than 10 kg of bamboo a day to meet their daily requirement. Wild pandas only eat 40 species of bamboo, and only 2-6 are their favorites. The leaves of the bamboo are most nutritious and balanced in nutrients. However, the nutritional value of different parts of the bamboo changes according to seasons. Seasonal changes affect the panda's preference of which part of the bamboo to eat. For example, before winter arrives, panda prefers to eat the roots of the bamboo because they contain more water and protein. Reproduction of Giant Pandas The mating season of Giant Pandas ranges from January to June. The female pandas may mate with more than one male in a single mating season to ensure successful fertilization. The gestation (妊娠) period ranges from 83 to 163 days, and 135 days is the average. It is common to have 1 to 2 cubs (幼崽) in a litter (窝). However, only one cub will receive enough care from the mother to survive. A panda cub is born blind, and completely helpless, therefore, it demands undivided attention, leaving the mother little or no time and energy to care for a second cub. To have three cubs in a litter is very rare. A newly-born cub weighs about 90g to130g (3-5oz), in the order of 1/900th of the adult's weight. A Gi