Giant Pandas: The Possible End To An Iconic Symbol
Giant Pandas: The Possible End To An Iconic Symbol
We all know about the Giant Panda and how important of a species they are. What most of do not know is that unfortunately the Giant Panda just might not be around much longer. Research shows that this furry little legend might not be around within two or three generations from now. This news is very shocking to most of us, and as time goes on we might be closer to the extinction of the Giant Panda species.
The Giant Panda is a world-wide symbol. This black and white spotted species is originated in China where they used to strive in lowland areas but were utterly forced upland into the mountainous regions of China due to continuous farming, as well as the cleansing of very important forests that provide food and shelter for these pandas. This gigantic, bamboo-eating fur ball can range up to nearly two hundred and fifty pounds when found in the wild for male pandas, and nearly up to two hundred and twenty pounds for females which may be considered as rare for female pandas. When on all fours, these pandas can range up to as big as two to three feet tall, with a length of four to six feet. Pandas are very much known for their enormous physique, but what makes them so large is their huge stomachs. On average, a Giant Panda consumes approximately 40 pounds of bamboo a day to supply the panda with its much needed nutrients to support its inefficient dietary system, but they do not just eat bamboo, they also tend to eat other small plants and crustaceans. In order to eat this outrageous amount of food, these pandas must spend on average, ten to possibly sixteen hours of its day scavenging and eating. For the remainder of their day, they will more than likely sleep and rest up for the following day. One must wonder how there is enough bamboo on Earth to supply these carnivorous creatures. Bamboo has been shown to be named one of the "fastest growing plants on Earth" in which bamboo has had "reported growth
We all know about the Giant Panda and how important of a species they are. What most of do not know is that unfortunately the Giant Panda just might not be around much longer. Research shows that this furry little legend might not be around within two or three generations from now. This news is very shocking to most of us, and as time goes on we might be closer to the extinction of the Giant Panda species.
The Giant Panda is a world-wide symbol. This black and white spotted species is originated in China where they used to strive in lowland areas but were utterly forced upland into the mountainous regions of China due to continuous farming, as well as the cleansing of very important forests that provide food and shelter for these pandas. This gigantic, bamboo-eating fur ball can range up to nearly two hundred and fifty pounds when found in the wild for male pandas, and nearly up to two hundred and twenty pounds for females which may be considered as rare for female pandas. When on all fours, these pandas can range up to as big as two to three feet tall, with a length of four to six feet. Pandas are very much known for their enormous physique, but what makes them so large is their huge stomachs. On average, a Giant Panda consumes approximately 40 pounds of bamboo a day to supply the panda with its much needed nutrients to support its inefficient dietary system, but they do not just eat bamboo, they also tend to eat other small plants and crustaceans. In order to eat this outrageous amount of food, these pandas must spend on average, ten to possibly sixteen hours of its day scavenging and eating. For the remainder of their day, they will more than likely sleep and rest up for the following day. One must wonder how there is enough bamboo on Earth to supply these carnivorous creatures. Bamboo has been shown to be named one of the "fastest growing plants on Earth" in which bamboo has had "reported growth
Cited: Guo, Jerry. “Giant Panda Numbers Are Surging: Or Are They?” Science, New Series, 316. 5827 (2007): 974-975. JSTOR Web. 12 November 2013.