It's National Panda Day! Here are some facts to help you celebrate:
Giant Pandas are widely-known for their unique black and white fur. All giant pandas have black ears, black fur around their white heads, a black band around their upper bodies and a white mid section- making it difficult to tell them apart.
The slow-moving bears originate from Southwestern China and have been around since China’s Han dynasty 206 BC. The highly prized pandas were believed to have mystical powers. China considers the panda bear a “national treasure.”
Pandas first came to the United States in 1972 when President Richard Nixon established relations with China. While visiting China, the former first lady, Pat Nixon expressed her love of the pandas. As a gift to Mrs. Nixon, China sent the first panda to the National Zoo in Washington, DC.
Currently, there are four zoos in the U.S. that have pandas: San Diego, Memphis, Atlanta and Washington D.C.
Outside of the U.S. Giant Pandas can also be found in zoos in Australia, Canada, Japan, Finland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Mexico, France, Singapore, Spain, Austria, Belgium and the United Kingdom.
Check out these 9 quick facts about panda bears:
1. Giant Pandas are an endangered species.
2. At birth they weigh about 4-8 ounces, and can grow to be 353 pounds.
3. Pandas can eat up to 14 hours a day and their diets mostly consist of bamboo stalks, shoots and roots.
4. Pandas do not hibernate.
5. Their scientific name is Ailuropoda melanoleuca, which means “black and white cat-foot”.
6. Baby Pandas are born pink and blind. They usually can see about six weeks after birth.
7. They are good climbers.
8. Pandas are usually shy animals, except when meeting for food or mating.
9. The panda bear life span is 15-25 years.
For more information about panda bears, visit: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/g/giant-panda/
