Why are giant pandas black and white?
Why are giant pandas black and white?
There are two main competing theories and they’re somewhat opposite. No one knows for sure though.
The first theory is that their black and white fur makes them easy to spot for other giant pandas. This is believed to be an adaptation that helps pandas locate mates in the wild, where they don’t have many natural predators to worry about.
The second theory is completely the opposite! That their black and white fur is actually intended as camouflage. That may seem odd at first, but in their densely forested and often snow natural habitats, giant pandas can be very difficult to spot. This gives them some natural protection and helps them spend a lot of the day in one place without worrying about being detected.
How thick is a giant panda’s fur?
As their natural habitat can get quite cold, pandas’ fur is really quite thick and wooly.
This offers them great insulation during the winter months, especially as they’re not particularly active and don’t generate much heat through movement.
This does lead to problems sometimes when giant pandas are kept in zoos in warmer climates. It’s not uncommon for zoos in more temperate climates to invest in air conditioning for their pandas during the warmer months.
Is a giant panda's fur soft?
Whilst pandas look incredibly fluffy and soft, their fur is naturally quite thick and coarse.
Their dense and wooly fur is more likely to feel like the thick coat it is, rather than short soft fur.
Giant pandas also secrete oil into their fur to help with moisture wicking and temperature control, which doesn’t so much soften things as make them quite slick!
Do giant pandas molt?
Pandas do molt a small ammount continously, they don’t undergo any significant seasonal molting.
This is because seasonal molting takes quite a lot of energy and the panda’s poor diet can’t sustain that sort of quick and large energy investment.
Instead the giant panda spreads its risk by molting a small ammount continously throughout the year.
Are giant pandas ever hunted for their fur?
Sadly, yes, their fur is one of the reasons giant pandas were hunted close to extinction in the wild.
Thankfully due to decades of prevention, the introduction of strict new laws and the continuing efforts to raise awareness, the incidents of panda poaching have declined massively.
However some poaching does still occur and more must still be done to protect the bears and their distinctive fur.