photo by James Barker and freedidgitalphotos.net
Scientific Name: Ailuropoda Melanoleuca
Weight: 220-330 lbs.
Life span: In the wild around 20 years, in captivity around 30 years.
Where They Live: China
Characteristics:
Giant Pandas are peaceful creatures with distinctive black and white coats. They are adored by the world and considered a national treasure in China. Pandas are the rarest member of the bear family. They can grow to be more than 4 feet long. Newborn pandas are about the size of a stick of butter.
Status:
Giant Pandas are endangered. A 2007 report shows 239 pandas living in captivity inside China and another 27 outside the country. One estimate shows that there are about 1,590 individuals living in the wild.
For more information please visit:
worldwildlife.org/species/giant-panda
Th!nk Magazine 