Giant Panda Facts
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
Giant pandas are mountain-dwelling bears from central China whose diet is dominated by bamboo. Strong jaws, broad molars, and a false thumb help them process tough stems and leaves.
- Habitat
- Temperate Forest
- Diet
- Primarily bamboo
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
Giant Panda Facts at a Glance
Giant pandas are mountain-dwelling bears from central China whose diet is dominated by bamboo. Strong jaws, broad molars, and a false thumb help them process tough stems and leaves.
It belongs to the family Ursidae in the order Carnivora. This profile is designed as a concise starting point; the source names below document the review basis.
Giant Panda Habitat
Giant Pandas live in Temperate Forest and Mountain habitats. Their recorded range includes Central China. Suitable food, shelter, and conditions for raising young help shape that range.
What Do Giant Pandas Eat?
Giant Pandas have a herbivore diet that includes Primarily bamboo. The food available in their environment shapes how they find, hunt, forage for, or receive meals.
Giant Panda Lifespan, Size, and Weight
Giant Pandas typically live for 15–20 years. Adults measure about 120–190 cm and weigh around 70–125 kg; these ranges can vary with sex, age, environment, and access to food.
Giant Panda Conservation Status
Giant Panda is listed here as Vulnerable. Protecting habitat, maintaining healthy prey or food sources, and reducing human pressure are important parts of conserving wild populations.
Quick facts
- Region
- Central China
- Habitat
- Temperate Forest, Mountain
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
- Size
- 120–190 cm
- Weight
- 70–125 kg
Fun facts
- A modified wrist bone acts like a thumb for holding bamboo.
- Pandas spend much of the day feeding because bamboo is low in energy.
- Cubs are tiny compared with their mothers at birth.
- Their black-and-white pattern may help with both camouflage and communication.
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Sources and image credit
Animal facts are reviewed against the references below. The photograph remains available under the stated license.