Made with Xara Web Designer If you are interested in acquiring this painting or would like further information please contact me Giant pandas are black and white bears and are one of the most precious, endangered species on the planet. Numbering less than one thousand, they are about the size of an American black bear, and live only in the temperate- zone bamboo forests in central China. Among the most distinctive but rarest animals in the world, they have come to symbolize endangered species conservation efforts when Sir Peter Scott used the Giant Panda when he designed the original symbol for The World Wide Fund for Nature. They exist in only a few mountain ranges in central China, but Giant Pandas once lived in lowland areas as well, but farming, forest clearing, and other development now restrict them to the mountains. These habitats have broadleaf and coniferous forests with a dense under-storey of bamboo at elevations between 5,000 and 10,000 feet.  A wild giant panda’s diet is almost exclusively (99 percent) bamboo. Torrential rains or dense mist throughout the year characterizes these forests, often shrouded in heavy clouds. A giant panda is bear-like in shape. It has black fur on ears, eye patches, muzzle, legs, and shoulders. The rest of the animal's coat is white. Although scientists do not know why these unusual bears are black and white, some speculate that the bold colouring provides effective camouflage into their shade-dappled snowy and rocky surroundings. The panda's thick, woolly coat keeps it warm in the cool forests of its habitat. Giant pandas have large molar teeth and strong jaw muscles for crushing tough bamboo. Many people find these chunky, lumbering animals to be cute and cuddly, but giant pandas can be as dangerous as any other bear. Scientists are not sure how long giant pandas live in the wild, but they are sure it is shorter than life spans in zoos. Chinese scientists have reported zoo pandas as old as 35.  Ravenous Link to Us Privacy Photo Gallery Guestbook 18"x14” -  46x51cm Acrylic on Canvas All content and artwork copyright to Stephen Gayford and may not be reproduced without permission © 2007 - 2011