These giant pandas are at Chengdu Giant Panda Research Station and Breeding Center ("Chengdu Panda Base"), which lies at an altitude of 500 meters (1,640 feet) in a suburb just 10 km (6 miles), or a 40-minute drive, north of downtown Chengdu in China's province of Sichuan. This video clip was taken on the morning of 19 April 2009.
Chengdu Panda Base was established in 1987 with six injured giant pandas. Opened to the public in 1995, this base now contains a giant panda museum as well as over 60 giant pandas in a developed area of some 200 hectares (494 acres).
The giant panda, the cute black and white-coated icon of modern China, is a bamboo-eating mammal native to mountainous areas in the provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu in southwestern and central-western China. An endangered species, only some 1,000 to 1,600 giant pandas now live in the wild, mostly in the mountains of Sichuan. In addition, there are about 265 giant pandas living in captivity in China and around the world. Giant pandas, which suffer from a low birth rate, are threatened by habitat encroachment and destruction spurred by the growing demand for land and natural resources from China's large and ever-increasing population. Nowadays the reduction in the giant panda's habitat has split the species into about 20 isolated groups. The major habitat of this animal, termed the Sichuan Great Panda Sanctuaries, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Giant pandas are also poached for their pelts which can bring a high price on the black market.
The period of gestation for giant pandas ranges from three to five months, with an average pregnancy of 135 days. The two-month difference in the period of gestation exists because the fertilized panda egg often floats free in the mother's uterus before implantation occurs and development begins. Pandas are born blind and practically without any fur. Giant panda cubs weigh from 100 to 200 grams (4 to 8 ounces) and measure from 15 to 17 cm (5.9 to 6.7 inches) long. Adults, on the other hand, grow up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) in length and stand some 75 cm (2.5 feet) tall at the shoulder. Males, which average up to 20% larger than females, weigh up to 150 kg (330 pounds). The black fur on the head, legs and shoulders along with the remainder of the giant panda's thick white wool coat provides camouflage in its sometimes-snowy forest habitat. Giant pandas typically live about 15 years in the wild and up to 25 or even 30 years in captivity.
One special adaptation of the giant panda is its enlarged "pseudo thumb" wrist bone. This, along with five nailed fingers, allows the giant panda to grasp bamboo shoots more effectively in order to eat. Although giant pandas spend most of their time on the ground, their toes also allow the climbing of trees when necessary.
Giant pandas tend to be passive and normally do not initiate attacks on man or other animals. However, when surprised or provoked, giant pandas can become violent. Their reaction to abnormal sounds is to run or climb a tree. When trapped, giant pandas cover their faces with their paws and curl up, thus showing their fright. A giant panda will display its aggression by lowering its head and staring at an intruder or opponent. Aggression can also be shown with a paw swipe or a low bark.
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National Geographic Podcast: Panda-moniumby andreasl7920,620 views
Three panda girls born in the summer of 2007, Xin Rong, her half sister Xin Ya, and Ji Li
xiongmaomeng 6 months ago
FIRST!!! My life long dream is complete!
Kirem100 1 year ago