Bamboo bear

Ailuropoda melanoleuca

Vulnerable ↑

Diet

Herbivore

Lifespan

20 years

Length

1.5 m

Weight

100.0 kg

Population

1.9K

Trend

↑ Increasing

About

Iconic black-and-white bear of the mountain bamboo forests of central China, giant pandas can weigh up to 125 kg and spend up to 14 hours daily consuming bamboo, which comprises 99% of their diet despite belonging to the order Carnivora. Solitary and elusive, they have a pseudo-thumb for gripping bamboo stems. Downgraded from Endangered to Vulnerable in 2016 following successful conservation and breeding programs.

Fun Facts

✨ Pandas eat for about 12 hours a day.
✨ Newborn pandas are about the size of a stick of butter.
✨ They have a pseudo-thumb that helps them grip bamboo.

Habitat & Distribution

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, temperate coniferous forests, and temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, among 7 distinct biome types spanning the Indomalayan and Palearctic realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

🌲 Forest

Found in China. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

🇨🇳 China

Diet & Behavior

🌿

Herbivore

Bamboo bear is classified as herbivore, adapted to its ecological niche.

Diet

🌿 Herbivore

Plant matter 100%

Conservation Status

VU Vulnerable

Estimated Population

1.9K

Population Trend

↑ Increasing

Full Taxonomy

Carnivora (Carnivorans)

Family

Ursidae (Bears)

Genus

Ailuropoda (Giant Pandas)

Species

Ailuropoda melanoleuca (Bamboo bear)

Names in Other Languages

Chinese Da xióngmāo

Spanish Panda Gigante

French Panda géant

German Bambusbär

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of Bamboo bear?

The scientific name of Bamboo bear is Ailuropoda melanoleuca. It belongs to the genus Ailuropoda.

What is the conservation status of Bamboo bear?

Bamboo bear (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. The population trend is increasing.

Where does Bamboo bear live?

Bamboo bear is found in Found in China. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.. Countries include China.

What family does Bamboo bear belong to?

Bamboo bear (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) belongs to the genus Ailuropoda, which is part of the taxonomic family Ursidae.

What does Bamboo bear eat?

Bamboo bear is herbivore. Its diet is adapted to its natural habitat and ecological niche.

How long does Bamboo bear live?

Bamboo bear has an average lifespan of approximately 20 years in the wild.

How many Bamboo bear are left in the wild?

The estimated wild population of Bamboo bear (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is approximately 1,864 individuals.

Is Bamboo bear endangered?

Yes, Bamboo bear (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, which means it faces a significant risk of extinction in the wild.