Giant Panda
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a bear that lives in Asia.
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[edit] Appearance
Giant Pandas are about 1.2 - 1.5 metres long and about 75 centimetres high. They weigh between 75 - 160 kg. Giant Pandas have white fur; the legs and shoulders are black. They also have black ears and black patches around their eyes. Giant Pandas cannot stand up on their back legs, like other bears can, but they can climb and swim well.
[edit] Life
They are mostly herbivorous, and eat mainly bamboo. But they also eat other plants, and also honey, eggs and small vertebrate animals (rodents, pikas or fish). When it eats, it often sits down and holds the food in its paws.
Giant Pandas live alone. Females have a territory which they defend against other females. Giant Pandas mate between the months March and May. If there are several males, they fight each other. The one who wins - the strongest male, then mates with the female.
In August or September, the female gives birth to 1-2 babies. If she has 2 babies, she will only raise one baby, and the other baby dies. Giant Panda babies are very small, and weigh only 90 - 130 grams. The baby drinks milk until it is 8-9 months old. Young Pandas live with their mothers until they are 18-24 months old. They become mature when they are 5-7 years old. They can become 20-30 years old in captivity (e.g. in zoos).
[edit] Giant Pandas and humans
Today the Giant Panda is seen as a symbol for China. It is also protected by the Chinese government, and killing a Panda is a crime.