The giant panda is a large, furry black and white animal that inhabits the bamboo forests of China. Some zoologists classify pandas as bears, others as raccoons, while some claim that pandas are a unique species in their own family.

1. The modern scientific name for pandas translates from Latin as “black and white cat paw.“

2. In the wild, pandas live for about 15 years, while in captivity, they can live up to 25 years.

3. Pandas are considered a national treasure of China.

4. Their excellent sense of smell helps pandas find the freshest and juiciest bamboo.

5. Some scientists believe that black and white pandas can easily distinguish each other.

6. All pandas in the world permanently retain their Chinese citizenship.

7. Baby giant pandas start walking on their own at three months old.

8. In 1957, the Moscow Zoo became the first zoo to have a panda named Ping-Ping.

9. The tail of a giant panda is 12 cm long.

10. Giant pandas have poor distance vision and are born nearsighted.

11. Pandas leave scent marks only on specific trees, similar to advertisements on billboards.

12. There is a breeding center in Chengdu, China, where pandas are bred.

13. Each panda’s tooth is seven times larger than a human’s tooth.

14. Hunting pandas has been prohibited for almost 50 years.

15. The Japanese emperor was the first to receive a panda as a gift.

16. Baby pandas are born completely white and develop their famous black spots after a week.

17. Bears gallop, while giant pandas move by a type of trot.

18. In nature reserves, pandas may face threats from leopards and red wolves.

19. Unlike other bears with less dexterous paws, pandas have separate “thumbs“ and five other fingers that help them grip bamboo.

20. Giant pandas were first discovered in the mid-19th century, but it took 68 years to capture even one.

21. Pandas primarily eat bamboo, which is low in calories. To sustain themselves, pandas have to consume large quantities of it.

22. Pandas spend 10 to 12 hours a day feeding and can eat up to 45 kg of bamboo during that time.

23. Pandas prefer to live alone and only come together during the breeding season.

24. Adult pandas have a height of about 1.5 meters and weigh around 100 kg, while newborn pandas are so small that they can fit in the palm of a hand.

25. Baby pandas are born blind and hairless. Until the cub can move independently, the mother panda carries it on her body, carefully clasping it with her paw.

26. Pandas walk with an awkward swaying gait but are skilled climbers.

27. The Chinese government has declared the areas where pandas inhabit as natural reserves. The panda is a SYMBOL of China, and when the Chinese government wants to show its friendly disposition towards another country, it gifts them a panda.