Wolong, China>, Nov 03, 2008
Daxionagmao; Translates from Mandarin to Large bear-cat.
The panda is bearlike with a stocky, relatively short, barrel shaped body..about 160-180 cm in total length. Its legs are stout and powerful, especially the forelegs. Although these features give the panda a clumsy appearance they enable it to move with remarkable ease and silence over steep terrain and through dense bamboo. The colour pattern
Wolong Natural Reserve comprises 2000km-sq. of rugged mountains at the eastern edge of the Tibetan highlands. It extends from an elecation of 6250m. About half the reserve lies about the timberline, a habitat unsuitable for pandas. The climate is cool and wet, with snow in winter and a monsoon from june to october.
‘Here is the home of bamboo
In spring, the hills
and valleys are covered with bamboo shoots!
……………………………………………..
I have long lived in Chang’an and Luoyang, yet
I could never get enough bamboo
shoots to eat; here now there are many;
do not wait to eat them, for soon the south wind
will rise and they will grow into tall bamboos.’
written by: Bai Juyi AD-817
Although pandas may eat various plants, as well as meat, more than 99% of their food consists of bamboo stems, branches and leaves.