A panda teddy bear is in fact a teddy bear, but it looks like a panda instead of the iconic teddy design. As teddy's go, the panda teddy bear is a very popular one, given the worldwide admiration the population has for these unusual animals. Learning more about the actual panda bear species, is also a lot more interesting when you have an actual panda teddy bear in your possession.
For many years, it was believed that the giant panda bear was part of the raccoon family, but both genetic testing and observation has proven that theory to be incorrect - since1995, panda's have in fact been considered members of the bear family.
As far as bears go, panda's are quite unusual; on their front paws they have six digits with apposable thumbs giving them the ability to hold onto stalks of bamboo - their preferred food (it makes up 99 percent of their diet, eating anywhere from 26 to 33 pounds per day - close to 40 percent of their body weight); they have a large head and are a distinct black and white in color; they can only be found living in the wild in six regions of southwest China, along the Tibetan plateau in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanzi. All combined, these areas are less than 5,400 square miles and sit at a very high altitude (4,000 to 11,500 feet). Thick mountain forests boasting more than 30 species of bamboo, are where the panda's can be found. In all, the panda's home ranges are from 1.8 to 3.3 miles with territories of the males overlapping those of the females.
At birth, newborn panda's weigh just 3 to 5 ounces. Males will grow to weights of between 190 and 275 pounds while females are a little smaller weighing in at 155 to 220 pounds. Sexual maturity is only reached when females are 4 ½ to 6 ½ years old. In addition, they will only mate one time in the spring in the months of March, April, and May. One to three cubs are usually born in August and September although one cub is more common. Cubs are weaned at nine months of age but like many other bear species, will often stay with mom for more than two years.
Pandas, like other bear species, are solitary animals with females and their cubs being the only exception. Territories are marked by the scratching of trees and rubbing up against rocks and trees in which the panda leaves an anogenital gland that has a musky smell.
In terms of popularity it's hard to know exactly where the panda teddy bear ranks in the world of stuffed animals, but given these unique bears command top attention at zoos lucky enough to have them, you can bet, panda teddy bears fly off the shelves after a visit.
Copyright Shelley Vassall, 2010.
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