Giant Pandas
Giant Pandas are easily recognisable by their typical bear-like body shape and the distinctive black and white markings. Unlike all other bear species the Giant Panda does not hibernate but they often relocate to lower altitudes in the winter and spring.
They have an elongated wrist bone that acts like a thumb to help them grasp food firmly. They possess huge molar teeth and powerful jaw muscles to break the woody parts of bamboo and chewing the stem, culms and leaves.
Like all bear species, the Giant Panda is a natural meat eater. However this unique bear has adapted to live on an almost solely vegetarian diet. Giant Pandas have an elongated wrist bone on their front feet that helps them grasp bamboo firmly.
99% of the Giant Pandas diet is bamboo. Only 1% of their diet is other vegetable or meat from small animals they have scavenged or killed.
As nutrition level of bamboo is low, Giant Pandas:
- Eat huge amounts
- When available, take tender parts which have more nutrition and less fibre
- Feed on protein-rich remains of animal bodies when available
- Use as little energy as possible
Scientific name: Ailuropoda melanoleuca
Order: Carnivora
Family: Ursidae
Length: 1.2m-1.8m long
Weight: 60 – 125kg
Diet: Omnivore
Life expectency: 25 years
Status: Endangered
11 Interesting Facts About . . .
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#5 Smarty Pants
The Poodle, for all it’s fashionista traits and trends, is actually hiding the brain of a geek. Dog geek, that is. In fact, the Poodle is one of the smartest dog breeds. They’re also loving, nice to strangers (as long as you keep an eye on them) and have a great sense of humor. All in all, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better game show contestant.
#4 ‘Hyperallogenic’
The Poodle may be a high class pooch, but it’s also great for people who suffer from dog allergies. Even better, they shed very little of their fur. Also, for those with sensitive noses, Poodles tend to be odorless. Cancel the Febreze order!
#3 National Hero
Though the Poodle is famous throughout Europe, the French have loved the dog since the 1500s and have even made it their national dog! So it may be a good idea to refer to its highness as Le Poodle or Le Woof. However, if you get strange looks, don’t blame us …
#2 Something ‘Fierce’
It may be “fierce,” but this is no supermodel dog. The Poodle doesn’t sit around and announce it will not get out of bed for less than $10,000 per day. No. Along with being smart, pretty, and bestowed with wonderful fluffy hair, the Poodle is athletic. That’s right, it can earn its keep with its excellent hunting and water-retrieving skills.
#1 The Great Halls of the Dogdom
The Poodle is not a newcomer to the halls of doggy fame. No way. In fact, it has been famous all the way back to, well, recorded history. The Poodle, being a noble and etch-worthy (the precursor to news-worthy) dog, was featured on both ancient Greek and Roman coins. Who knows? The warring feuds between those two mighty nations might’ve been over the poodle.
Well, there you have it, five fun facts about the poodle.