The giant panda is one of the world's most recognizable mammals. Despite belonging to the order of carnivores, it survives almost entirely on bamboo and has evolved remarkable adaptations for this unusual diet.
Wild pandas live in cool mountain forests of central China between 1,200 and 3,400 meters above sea level. Dense bamboo forests provide both food and shelter.
Once critically threatened, panda populations have increased thanks to protected reserves, habitat restoration, wildlife corridors, and international conservation efforts.
A panda's typical day consists of eating bamboo, resting, sleeping, and slowly moving between feeding areas. Because bamboo is low in nutrients, pandas conserve energy whenever possible.