While the giant panda has been put on the endangered species list, they are considered the national treasure of China. Giant pandas are easily identifiable due to their black and white coloring while living in their native southwest China in the cool wet mountains.
1. Peace Symbol
Because China views the giant panda as a symbol of peace, it played a role in warring tribes of centuries ago. It is a fact that these warring tribes would raise a flag with a picture of a panda on it in order to cease a battle or call a truce between parties.
2. Unique Appendage
One of the most interesting facts about giant pandas is their evolutionary developed elongated wrist bone. This bone acts as a thumb allowing them to securing hold and feed on bamboo, which makes up nearly their entire diet. Though bamboo has poor nutritional value, they eat up to forty pounds a day, making that thumb an invaluable asset. Pandas eat sitting upright in a relaxed legs out in front of them position.
3. Great Climbers
Having a diet of mainly bamboo, giant pandas are often found at high elevations particularly in the summer months feeding on different varieties of bamboo. This makes them excellent climbers and swimmers. Though pandas make shelters in trees and rock crevices, they are not hibernators because they never make permanent dens.
4. Solitary Lives
Another interesting fact about pandas are they are solitary animals. Males have highly developed senses, in which help them to avoid other males that may potentially be in the area and allow them to find females in the spring for mating.
5. Communication
Pandas are able to communicate through scent marking and vocalization. Their scent markings include spraying urine and clawing trees. These techniques either attract potential mates or warns other pandas to stay away for territorial reasons.
Featured Image from Bruce Hong/Unsplash
