Quck answer
Pandas do not hibernate because they have a low-calorie diet that does not provide enough energy reserves for them to survive hibernation. Additionally, pandas live in a climate where food is available year-round, so there is no need for them to conserve energy during the winter months. Instead, pandas conserve energy by sleeping for long periods of time and reducing their physical activity.
Wild Animals
The Debate on Whether the Giant Panda is a Bear or Raccoon
The giant panda is a unique animal that shares features with both bears and red pandas. Scientists have been debating on how to classify this animal due to its unique characteristics.
Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images; Tom Walker/Getty Images; Altrendo Nature/Getty Images
Classifying animals can be a challenging task, especially when they don’t fit into any pre-existing categories. The giant panda is a perfect example of this. The giant panda was first seen by Westerners in 1869 when PГЁre Armand David, a Catholic priest, compared it to a bear and used the Latin word for bear, ursus, in its name. However, Alphonse Milne-Edwards, a French scientist, later inspected the remains of a giant panda and concluded that it was more similar to a cat-like creature in the raccoon family called the red panda. He then changed the animal’s name and placed it in its own category.
However, the debate over whether the giant panda is a bear or a raccoon has been going on for several decades. Some argue that the giant panda is a little bear while others believe it is a big raccoon. Red pandas weigh in at about seven to 14 pounds, and the largest raccoon ever recorded was a little over 60 pounds. In comparison, giant pandas often grow to over 200 pounds. This has led some to question how closely related these animals really are to each other.
There are similarities between the giant panda and the red panda. Both animals eat bamboo, grip bamboo the same way, and share similar snout, teeth, and paw features, as well as a distinct resemblance. On the other hand, the giant panda shares many characteristics with bears due to its similar shape and size, characteristic shaggy fur, and the way it walks and climbs.
Some scientists believe that the giant panda and red panda developed similar bamboo-related features separately as a result of a coincidentally shared diet, a process known as convergent evolution. Others believe that a similar process of convergent evolution explains their resemblance to bears. DNA studies have been conducted to answer these questions, but the results have been inconclusive.
Despite all these debates, some experts prefer that the giant panda remain a mystery and retain its individuality. George B. Schaller, author of “The Last Panda,” believes that “the panda is a panda.”
To Slumber, Maybe Torpor
Bears do not truly hibernate, but rather experience a less deep state called torpor, during which they do not eat, drink, or move much. Raccoons go through a similar kind of torpor, and may sometimes come out on warm days to eat and drink. Therefore, whether a panda is classified as a bear or a raccoon, the fact that it does not hibernate puts it in a category of its own.
Related Articles
- Why is the birth rate so low for giant pandas?
- If I kill an animal, can I eat it raw?
- How Hibernation Works
- How Sleep Works
- How the World Wildlife Fund Works
- How the Nature Conservancy Works
- How Natural Selection Works
- How Animal Migration Works
More Great Links
- AnimalPlanet.com
- PETA
- Giant Pandas: National Zoo
- Animal Planet: Panda Live Video Cam
Sources
- Maher, Kathy B. “Panda, Inc.” National Geographic. July 2006. (June 27, 2008)http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0607/feature1/learn.html
- Nature.ca. “Raccoon.” Canadian Museum of Nature. (June 27, 2008)http://nature.ca/notebooks/english/racoon.htm
- Schaller, George B. “The Panda is a Panda.” University of Chicago Press, 1993. (June 27, 2008)http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/736296.html
- Schaller, George B. “The Last Panda.” University of Chicago Press, 1993. (June 27, 2008)http://books.google.com/books?id=obJYYtsJZqwC
- Smithsonian. “Red Panda.” Smithsonian National Zoological Park. (June 27, 2008)http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AsiaTrail/RedPanda/factsheet.cfm
- Stone, Lynn M., Karen Su. “Giant Pandas.” Lerner Publications, 2004. (June 27, 2008)http://books.google.com/books?id=9epYUSSg0y0C
- Youth, Howard. “Giant Panda.” ZooGoer 28(2) April 1999. (June 27, 2008)http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/1999/2/fact-panda.cfm
FAQ
1. What is hibernation?
Hibernation is a state of inactivity that some animals enter during the winter months. Their body temperature drops, and their metabolic rate slows down to conserve energy.
2. Do all animals hibernate?
No, not all animals hibernate. Some animals migrate to warmer climates, while others adapt to the cold weather without hibernating.
3. Do pandas hibernate?
No, pandas do not hibernate. Despite living in cold climates, pandas remain active throughout the winter months.
4. Why don’t pandas hibernate?
There are several reasons why pandas do not hibernate. Firstly, their diet consists mainly of bamboo, which is available all year round. Secondly, pandas have a slow metabolism, which means they do not need to conserve energy in the same way as other animals. Finally, pandas have thick fur coats and can regulate their body temperature, making it easier for them to adapt to cold weather.
5. How do pandas survive the winter?
Pandas survive the winter by adapting to the cold weather. They have thick fur coats that help them retain heat, and they can regulate their body temperature by moving to warmer areas or by sunbathing. Additionally, pandas have a slow metabolism, which means they require less food and energy to survive.
6. Are there any disadvantages to not hibernating?
While there are no significant disadvantages to not hibernating, pandas may be more vulnerable to predators during the winter months. However, as pandas are solitary animals, they are less likely to encounter predators.
7. Do other animals in China hibernate?
Yes, other animals in China hibernate. Some examples include the Siberian tiger, the Himalayan bear, and the Chinese alligator.
8. How do pandas differ from other bears?
Pandas differ from other bears in several ways. Firstly, pandas have a unique diet consisting mainly of bamboo. Secondly, they have a distinctive appearance, with black and white fur and round faces. Finally, pandas have a slow metabolism, which means they have less body fat and require less food to survive.
9. Are pandas endangered?
Yes, pandas are classified as an endangered species. The main threats to their survival include habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.
10. What is being done to protect pandas?
Several conservation programs have been established to protect pandas. These include habitat restoration, anti-poaching initiatives, and captive breeding programs. Additionally, the Chinese government has implemented strict laws to protect pandas and their habitats.
Leave a Reply