Declining Population of Pandas

Inhabitant to the mountain forests in southwest China, the giant pandas are one of the dearest animals in the world.

The Giant pandas are recognised by their distinctive black and white colouring. Their ears, eyes, muzzle, shoulders and legs are black whereas the rest of their body is white. They have thick hair that keeps them warm in the cool, in wet mountain zones. Their weight can be between 100-115 kg (220-250 lb.), with males being heavier than females.

When they are between 4-8 years of age, pandas reach maturity and now can reproduce. Nevertheless, female pandas con only become pregnant for 2-3 days each spring! male and female pandas find each other through their scents and calls similar to that of sheep or goats, in this small period of time. They cannot roar like other bears.

The female panda gives birth between 95 and 160 days of becoming pregnant. A new-born cub is blind, tiny and hairless and it weighs only 85-140 g (3-5 oz.). Totally helpless, the cub can’t move much on its own for about 3 months. In turn, its mother is very protective as well as careful in tending to her cub during this time period.

Conservation Status

With only nearly 2060 pandas that are living in the wild, the giant panda is considered to be endangered of extinction by the IUCN. Because of the fact that pandas reproduce too infrequently, it is difficult for their population to get better from such a low point.

One of the main reasons that the population of pandas have declined is habitat destruction.

By: Prerana Sharma

Content: https://animalfactguide.com/animal-facts/giant-panda/