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Giant Panda Distribution |
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| The giant panda (Ailuropoda
melanoleuca) first appeared in the evolutionary record during the late
Pliocene or early Pleistocene, some two to three million years ago. Panda
fossils have been found in Burma, Vietnam, and particularly in eastern
China, as far north as Beijing. Pandas were once widespread in southern
and eastern China and in neighbouring Myanmar and north Vietnam. Today,
however, there are only around 1,590 in the wild (2003, by the 3rd census) left. All of these are found in one
geographic region - the bamboo forests of southwestern China.
Giant pandas are classed as bears by most scientists. Unlike other bears, they vocalize by bleating rather than roaring. Until recently, giant pandas were grouped with raccoons and lesser pandas (i.e., the Procyonidae (raccoon) family). This decision was based primarily on physiological evidence. In the late 1980's, DNA/serological studies clearly established that giant pandas are clearly more bear than raccoon. Some scientists want to place giant pandas in their own grouping; but for most bear researchers, this does not seem warranted. The giant panda only exists at present in six small areas located in inland China. The habitat, suitable for the bamboo on which it survives, is a cold, damp coniferous forest. The elevation ranges from 1,200 to 3,400 metres ( 4,000 to 11,000 feet) high. In most of the areas in which they still roam wild, they must compete with farmers who farm the river valleys and the lower slopes of the mountains.Da xiong mao, the Chinese name for the giant panda means "great bear cat". Chinese books, written over 3,000 years ago, talk of the giant panda. Even then, it was believed to be endowed with mystical powers capable of warding off natural disasters and evil spirits. The scientific name for giant pandas, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, simply means black and white bear. |
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