The Giant Panda

 

Panda's are among everyone's favorite animals and easily their favorite bear. 

 
In spite of their popularity, the Panda is one of the most endangered animals alive today.

Estimates vary between 1000 to 3000 Pandas are surviving in the wild and approximately 150 in zoos across the world. Regardless of which study you reference, what is clear is that they are all sadly very low numbers.  

Where Can You Find Giant Pandas

Giant Pandas are found in the wild primarily in China where, in spite of their efforts to protect them, Giant Pandas have been put at risk by poachers, as well as the ever expanding encroachment on their domain.  However, another major contributing factor, is their own very low reproductive cycle. A female Panda only gives birth every 3 or 4 years. While she usually will have 2 cubs, only one will survive.

An adult Giant Panda will only raise 5 - 8 cubs in her entire lifetime.

Panda Bear Binder
by Sylvestermouse

Interesting and Fun Facts About the Giant Panda

One great scientific debate over the years has questioned whether the Giant Panda should be classified as a bear or a raccoon.

A mature Giant Panda can be up to 6 feet tall and weigh as much as 250 lbs. 

Even though a Giant Panda has a carnivore digestive system, Bamboo is 99% of their daily diet. 

The Giant Panda has an elongated wrist bone that serves like a thumb to grasp and hold his food. 

The Life of a Giant Panda

The life expectancy of a Giant Panda is 35 years. 

In spite of their adult weight, a newborn cub only weighs 3 - 4 ounces.  A cub's primary source of food is their own mother's milk for the first year.  

Panda Canvas Canvas Prints
by Sylvestermouse

Giant Panda Appearance

The Giant Panda is easily recognizable by adults and children alike due to their gorgeous black and white fur.  Because of their gentle appearance and shy demeanor, we do not fear the Giant Panda like we do other bears.  In fact, we frequently would like to reach out and hug this big, beautiful bear.

Panda Fleece Throw Blanket Fleece Blanket by Sylvestermouse

Image Credit for Panda Notebook and Panda Notebook   
Panda Binder
Panda Canvas
by Sylvestermouse

Additional Giant Panda Merchandise: Giant Panda Items in the House of Sylvestermouse

All of these Giant Panda photos are the exclusive property of Sylvestermouse and should not be copied without permission. However, they are available through Zazzle if you would like to purchase one.





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

The Magnificent Grizzly Bear

As babies, Grizzly Bears appear cuddly, playful and approachable.  As as matter of fact, they are truly delightful to watch when they play.  

Like any animal, you will certainly see varying moods and personalities.  However, where there are baby Grizzly Bears, there is sure to be a mother Grizzly Bear ready to defend her cubs at the least provocation. 

The Personality of a Grizzly Bear 

With the exception of mother and cubs, adult Grizzly Bears are solitary creatures and prefer to be left alone. You may see a gathering of Grizzly Bears at a stream of salmon, but they do not come to the stream for company, they come to eat. 

It is always best to leave a Grizzly Bear alone. Because of their acute sense of smell, they know you are in the woods with them before you know they are with you. Grizzly Bears rarely hunt humans. They actually avoid contact with humans, but if you get too close to their food or cubs, you certainly could find yourself in grave danger.

Grizzly Bears

Grizzly Bears are powerful, frightening, huge, beautiful and magnificent! 

I will not lie, if I happened to be frolicking in the woods and a grizzly bear popped out from behind a tree, I would be scared lifeless, but I still think they are gorgeous creations!  I am perfectly content to love them from afar and I have no desire to experience a real bear hug.  Did you know their claws are up to 4 inches long?
Ouch!!! 

Facts about the Grizzly Bear

• Height:  5 to 8 feet
• Weight:  800 - 1500 lbs.
• Life Span:  Up to 25 years
• Nickname:  Silvertip Bear
• Lives In:  Asia, Europe and North America
• Even though they are huge, a Grizzly bear can run up to 35 miles per hour.
• Only about 1,000 grizzly bears remain in the contiguous US today and they are protected by law.  It is believed that many grizzlies still roam Alaska, where they are pursued by big game hunters.
• Threatened in the contiguous US and Endangered in parts of Canada
• The Mexican Grizzly Bear is already Extinct

A Grizzly Bear Mother and Her Cubs 

 Grizzly: The Bears of Greater YellowstoneCheck PriceGrizzly bears hibernate during the winter months.  A mother bear will give birth during the winter, so it is not unusual to see a mother bear and her cubs out foraging for nuts or berries during the early spring.  While the cubs are adorable and appear cuddly, it is best to stay far away from the mother and her babies.  She will attack in order to protect her cubs.  Remember, if she smells a human, she won't know that you just want to take a picture of her pretty fur baby, she will believe you want to take the cub.  She will attack first and ask questions later. 

A mother bear cares for her cubs for up to 2 years.  Because of the males solitary lifestyle and a cubs long term dependence on their mothers, females only give birth every 3 - 4 years.  This infrequency in childbirth contributes to their threatened status.

The Grizzly Bear Up Close

Grizzly bears have brown fur with grey grizzled tips, thus the reason they are named Grizzly Bear. 


Although as much as 90% of what they eat is made up of fruits, nuts, berries, leaves, or roots, grizzly bears do have a carnivores digestive system and they do eat other animals.  

Grizzly bears tend to rule the forest.  If they encounter another animal with it's "dinner" the other animal will leave the meal to the bear instead of risking it's own life.  Unfortunately, most hunters either do not understand this "agreement" or they are not willing to give the bear their "trophy."  This will result in the bear attacking the human even though a grizzly bear would normally avoid contact with people if at all possible. 

Since a grizzly bear is territorial, he will return to the same place to eat.  He will go back to the same stream each year for salmon or to the same field each season for berries or fruit.  If he finds food at a campsite once, he will return again and again in search of additional meals.  Unknowingly a camper may seal the fate of a cute little bear by intentionally leaving food for them.  Since the cub will grow up and continue to return for nourishment, a forest ranger may be forced to put him down in order to protect unsuspecting campers. 

Please DO NOT feed the bears!  Even if he is adorably beautiful!

"When you dance with a grizzly bear it is best to let him lead."

~ Anonymous cowboy ~

 The Hunters Risk

 
Hunters are at greater risk than the average hiker.  Grizzly Bear are intelligent enough to know that if they hear a gunshot, there is likely to be fresh meat.  They will follow the source of that smell and sound to steal the game.  A Grizzly Bear will fight a hunter for the food and the hunter is unlikely to fair well.  It is best for the hunter to allow the Grizzly Bear to have his prize.   I assure you, that trophy is not worth the cost of a up-close and personal Grizzly Bear encounter.  At that point, you are both there for survival and survival is the priority.  

In a battle, the Bear will win!  Please, just walk away to hunt another day.

Encounter Grizzly Bear Without the Danger

 
 Grizzly Bear Swimming Party BinderCheck Price
Grizzly Bear are powerful animals and they are actually beautiful to observe.  The photos in this article were taken at the Memphis Zoo where there is a large area with a waterfall, swimming area for the Grizzly Bear and plenty of area for them to inhabit.  These Grizzly Bears came to the Memphis Zoo as babies in September of 2009 and the photos were taken in October of that year. 

The Teton Trek in the Memphis Zoo is their home and they often appear as interested in looking at the zoo visitors as we are of watching them.  At other times, the Grizzly Bears appear to be totally unaware of any spectators and perfectly content to ignore human presence.   When I snapped the photo below, I couldn't help but wonder if they were talking about us.


To say that I adore Grizzly Bear, would be an understatement.   I am fascinated by them!  They often walk with such grace and have the appearance of peace and tranquility.   But, I know they are massive, powerful creatures who are easily the master of their domain and I am content to observe from a distance.
 


Additional articles of interest: The Memphis Zoo and The Teton Trek at the Memphis Zoo

For Grizzly Bear Gift Selections, Visit:

 The American Cookie Cutter Company Grizzly Bear Cookie CutterCheck Price 26" Extra Soft and Cuddly Plush Brownish Black Grizzly Bear Stuffed Animal HugCheck Price Standing Grizzly Bear Table Lamp w/ Silhouette ShadeCheck Price

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Image Credit for Photos, Print / Poster, Binder & Grizzly Bear Gifts logo are photos by Sylvestermouse.  
All of these Grizzly Bear photos are the exclusive property of Sylvestermouse and should not be copied without permission. However, they are available through Zazzle if you would like to purchase one.


Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

The Precious Red Panda

It is unlikely that you will ever see a Red Panda anywhere other than in a zoo. They are very rare and these little solitary creatures are only about the size of a domestic cat. 

Habits of a Red Panda

Red Pandas are extremely hard to spot in the wild. One of the reasons they are so hard to find in the woods is simply because Red Pandas rest during the day. They usually become active at dusk and frolic around the forest until dawn. Since Red Pandas are normally sleeping in the trees during the day, their red fur coats blend right in with the tree bark and provide the perfect camouflage for this small beauty. Sometimes you can spot the Red Pandas dangling tails or catch a glimpse of their pretty white face. However, when it is cold, Red Pandas wrap their tails around their bodies covering those lovely white faces. The most you can hope to see then is a little red fur ball. 

The Fire Fox

When you see the color and beauty of the Red Panda’s fur, it becomes very clear why Red Pandas are known as a “fire fox” in their native county of Nepal. The Red Panda's gorgeous red coats do blaze in the sun and their tails are thick and furry like a fox. 

Photo by Sylvestermouse

I love to watch Red Pandas climb up and down the trees. They don’t run like squirrels, Red Pandas just take their time and mosey down the tree like they have no particular place to be. They frequently stop to smell the air and look around. Most likely checking to make sure there are no predators around before they proceed. You would think Red Pandas couldn’t climb slowly down the trunk of a tree, but they definitely can. The Red Pandas partially retractable claws dig right into the bark of the tree trunk and their short little legs and ankles are easily strong enough to hold the weight of their bodies and keep them from tumbling headfirst to the ground. 

Facts About the Red Panda

• Weight: 12 - 20 lbs
• Length: 20 - 26 in.
• Tail Length: 12 - 20 inches
• Lifespan: 8 years
• Lives in India, China, Myanmar & Nepal

Red Pandas are Endangered

It is a sad reality that Red Pandas are endangered. Because of their protected status, it is illegal to hunt Red Pandas in any country. However, unlike many endangered animals, Red Pandas seem to thrive in zoos. There have been over 300 Red Pandas born in zoos and that is truly most excellent. 

Red Panda Notebook Binder by Sylvestermouse

Image Credit for Print / Poster / Postcard by Sylvestermouse
Red Panda Postcard
Red Panda Poster

All Red Panda photos are the exclusive property of Sylvestermouse and should not be copied without written permission.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”