Ailuropoda melanoleuca

Giant pandas are mostly solitary, coming together only during the brief spring mating season and when mothers are caring for their cubs. Despite their large size, they are excellent climbers and spend a significant amount of time in trees.

Giant pandas have a notably low reproductive rate. Females are fertile for just 2 to 3 days each year, and they typically give birth to one cub every two years, though twins can occur. The survival rate of cubs in the wild is low, making their population growth slow.

These bears are characterized by their large size, with adults weighing up to 160 kg (350 lbs). Their diet is highly specialized, consisting of 99% bamboo, which they consume in large quantities to meet their energy needs.

Pandas have been revered in Chinese culture for centuries and have become global symbols of wildlife conservation. Historically, they lived in lowland areas, but farming, forest clearing, and other development have restricted them to mountainous regions.

Giant pandas are currently classified as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List. Although their numbers have improved due to intense conservation efforts, including habitat preservation and anti-poaching laws, they remain at risk. Their survival is heavily dependent on continued conservation actions.