Giant Panda
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
Weight: 75-160kg.
Habitat: It
occurs in montane forests with dense stands of
bamboo at altitudes of 2700-3900m. It may descend to as low as 800m during
winter but usually does not occur below 1200-1300m because of man's impact
on its habitat.
Age to Maturity: 5.5 Or 6.5 years (captivity).
Gestation Period: 3.5-5.4 months.
Birth Season: Females are only fertile for 2-3 days once a year sometime
during April - May. Births usually occur during August or September.
Birth Rate: 1 Or 2, rarely 3 per litter.
Maximum Age: 34 years (captivity).
Diet: Diet
consists mainly of bamboo shoots and bamboo roots. It also eats bulbs of
plants such as iris and crocus, grasses and occasionally fish, insects and
small rodents.
Threats:
The greatest threat to its survival may be the loss of its habitat.
