1. Endangered Species
The Giant Panda

2. Where do they live?
Giant Pandas live in scattered Deciduous Forests across mountain ranges in China!

3. What is their niche? They live in remote areas of the forest.
They eat bamboo and depend on it for their survival.
They are solitary animals.
They spend most of their day feeding, resting, and looking for food.
Predators include: brown bears, leopards, and wild dogs.

4. What are their adaptations?
Sharp teeth to tear through bamboo shoots.
Eats large amounts of bamboo because it can’t digest most of it.
Has a “thumb” to help it hold bamboo shoots.
Thick, waterproof coats protect against the cold, wet climate.

5. What is threatening the Panda’s survival?
Habitat loss is the major threat.
Human population growth has led to clearing of forests.
This causes habitats to become fragmented and Pandas cannot move between these small patches of habitat.
Small isolated populations are at risk for starvation and inbreeding (leads to less disease resistance).
Poaching also has serious consequences for this endangered species!

6. Habitat Loss

7. What is being done to help?
Chinese Government will severely punish poachers.
Panda sanctuaries have been set up to protect pandas.
Zoos are attempting a captive breeding project.
This is a picture of a Panda in one of the sanctuaries.

8. Panda Pics