Where Do Pandas Live?

The Giant Panda, also referred to as the Panda bear, is a bear species native to central western and south western regions of China. With an estimated population of less than 1500 in the wild, and approximately 250 in captivity, the Giant Panda is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Habitat destruction is one of the prominent reason for drastic decline in their population. Although many people recognize this species with immense ease, owing to their distinct features, not many people actually know where do pandas live. Found in abundance at one point of time, today the population is restricted to a few regions as far as natural habitat is concerned.

Where Do Pandas Live?

The question in itself is quite confusing, as the term 'Pandas', which is popularly used to refer to Giant Pandas, is at times also used to refer to the Red Panda. Both these species are not at all related to each other.

Where Do Giant Pandas Live?
One of the most interesting facts about Pandas is their habitat. Basically there are two sub-species of the Giant Panda, each of which is named after the region where they are found. The Qinling Panda population is restricted to the Qinling mountain range in the Chinese province of Shaanxi, while the Sichuan Panda population is found in small patches in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi.

Generally found at elevations of around 1500 to 3000 meters, Giant Pandas are also known to inhabit regions at much higher altitudes. Deforestation and human encroachment has pushed their population to high altitude regions beyond their natural habitat. At these high altitudes, the Pandas live in broad-leaf coniferous forests, with dense bamboo growth. In fact, bamboos are the main constituents of Giant Panda diet. These coniferous forests are typically characterized by torrential rains and dense cloud cover for most of the time. However, the Pandas have adapted themselves quite well to these conditions. Even though they are quite big in size, with adult Pandas growing to a length of 1.5 meters and weighing 330 pounds, they are excellent tree climbers.

Where do Red Pandas Live?
Another member of the kingdom of Animalia, the Red Panda is quite often mistaken to be related to the Giant Panda. Initially thought to be related to the bears and raccoons, finally the Red Panda was declared as a different species and the sole member of the Ailuridae family. These species are endemic to the temperate forests of Himalayas, in Nepal, Bhutan, China, India and Myanmar to be precise.

Facts about Pandas

Giant Pandas top the popularity chart among the various animals in the wild, but when it comes to numbers they are among the rarest animals found on this planet. Here are some more interesting facts on Pandas:

• The black fur on their ears, eye patches, muzzle, legs, and shoulders give Giant Pandas the distinct look which make them one of the most popular animal in the world.
• Although they are classified as carnivores, 99 percent of Giant Pandas diet comprise bamboos. Other than bamboo shoots, they also feed on fruits, vegetables, rodents and at times even on the young ones of a musk deer.
• Unlike other bear species, Giant Pandas do not go into hibernation.
• The breeding season for Panda bears spans from March to May. After a gestation period of 5 months, the females gives birth to 1 or 2 cubs.
• Pandas are quite docile in nature, but there have been reports of violent behavior and attacks on humans.

The Giant Panda features on the logo of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), an organization working for the conservation of nature. That however, has hardly helped, as increasing development by humans has rendered these species homeless. The fragmentation of Giant Panda habitat into small pockets has made it difficult for the species to mate. Forget about knowing where do pandas live, if concrete wildlife conservation measures are not taken at the earliest, the time is not far when people will ask what are Giant Pandas.