Classification:

Mammal

Weight:

The giant panda weighs 70 - 125 kg. 

Lifespan:

Lifespan in the wild is unknown but in captivity averages more than 20 years. 

Habitat:

In thick bamboo and coniferous forests (evergreens with seed cones) at 2,550 to 3,450 m elevation. 

Locations:

Limited to parts of Szechuan, Shensi and Kansu provinces in central and western China. 

Food:

Bamboo, flowers ,vines, tufted grasses, green corn, honey and small rodents

Fun Fact:

People cannot tell whether a panda's gender for four years!

Number left in the world:

Only 1,000 pandas exist in the wild and 60 in zoos..

Why there are so few left:

Increasing human populations; poaching; periodic bamboo die-offs. They don't mate often enough to reproduce more of their kind.  Panda's fur could fetch a high price. The money could last the person a lifetime.

Why is it our favourite animal:

It is gentle and cute.

How can we protect them:

Ban poaching.  Give a reward to those who catch hunters poaching.  Try to encourage others to protect pandas too!