Wild Windows · Giant Panda
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
A bear native to the mountains of central China, instantly recognizable for its bold black-and-white coat and gentle disposition. Once Critically Endangered, the giant panda was reclassified to Vulnerable in 2016 after decades of conservation effort produced measurable population recovery.
Natural History
Habitat
Bamboo forests in the mountainous regions of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces in China, between roughly 1,500 and 3,000 meters elevation.
Diet
Almost exclusively bamboo — up to 38 kg per day — supplemented occasionally with eggs, small mammals, or carrion.
Lifespan
About 20 years in the wild; up to 30 years in human care.
Behavior
Largely solitary outside of breeding season. Communicates through scent marking and vocalizations including bleats, honks, and chirps.
Classroom Facts
Live Cameras
Each listing is hand-verified for source, permission status, and viewing quality.
Bamboo, beanbags, and the occasional somersault.
Live from the Asia Trail in Washington, DC.
Use This With
Printable, photocopy-friendly, designed by educators. Pair them with any cam featuring this species.
Research-style ethogram for grades 6–12. Two pages: definitions of 12 mammal behaviors, plus a 30-minute one-zero observation log students fill in during a cam watch. Compatible with our giant panda, African elephant, sea otter, African lion, polar bear, mountain gorilla, and red panda pages.
