Donate

ARTICLE

ARTICLE

China’s Giant Pandas

China’s Giant Pandas

Giant pandas are one of the rarest species on the planet. Once ranging for thousands of kilometers, fewer than 1,850 wild pandas remain today.

Grades

3 - 8

Subjects

Biology, Ecology, Geography

‌

‌
‌
‌

‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
NGS Resource Carousel Loading Logo
Loading ...
Partner
Nat Geo WILD

Learning materials

Maps

Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are one of the rarest animals on Earth. With a species range once extending thousands of kilometers, today they are confined to a few pockets of bamboo forest. Our video, part of Nat Geo WILD’s “Destination Wild” series, complements our map of the giant panda’s current and historic ranges, and an outline of the categories and criteria of endangered species. Use these resources to help answer questions in the Questions tab. Then, read some Fast Facts about these “shy, elusive, and gentle” creatures.

Fast Fact

Bamboo leaves and shoots (new growths) make up 99% of a panda’s diet.

Fast Fact

Pandas are a species of bear. They are most closely related to the spectacled bear of South America.

Fast Fact

Pandas are omnivores. Besides bamboo, they will eat grasses, fish, eggs, and grubs (worms and insects). In captivity, pandas will also eat honey, fruit, and specially made “panda chow.”

Fast Fact

Pandas do not live in dens or other permanent homes. They sleep and raise their cubs under trees, stumps, or cliffs.

Fast Fact

Unlike many bears, pandas do not hibernate. During the cold season, they simply migrate to warmer territory.

Media Credits

The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.

Writer
National Geographic Society
Editors
Melissa MacPhee, National Geographic Society
Jessica Shea, National Geographic Society, National Geographic Society
Producer
National Geographic Society
other
Last Updated

October 19, 2023

For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. They will best know the preferred format. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource.

Media

If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media.

Text

Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service.

Interactives

Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. You cannot download interactives.

Related Resources