Panda, Sitting (Large)

Panda, Sitting (Large)Giant pandas are native to China and live in forests at elevations of 5,000 to 10,000 feet.

Their habitat is generally misty and rainy all year round and it is estimated that the annual rainfall reaches levels of 30"-40".

Pandas are black and white bears. They have a beautiful thick woolly coat - just perfect for keeping warm in their cool forested habitat. They have black ears, eye patches, muzzle, shoulders and legs with the remaining coat being white.

Their primary diet is bamboo and they have large molar teeth and very strong jaws which enable them to crush tough bamboo stalks. However, pandas will eat fish, meat and eggs if available. They spend most of their time roaming and searching for food and tend to do so within their own personal territory. They are thought to live solitary lives and females in particular do not take kindly to other female pandas entering their domain.

They measure two to three feet at the shoulder when on all fours and are four to six feet long. Male giant pandas weigh up to 250lbs in the wild and females no more than 220lbs. Baby pandas are unbelievably tiny when born and weigh only three to five ounces. Unsurprisingly, it takes a great deal of tender loving care on the part of the mother to raise a little one who will remain with her for 18 months to 3 years.

Pandas are a high category endangered species with approximately 1,600 existing in the wild and 150 living in zoos and mainly Chinese breeding centres.

Suffice to say, pandas are one of the most adored and protected animals. They have increasingly superseded the dragon as China's national emblem and this simply illustrates the high esteem in which they are held.

Pandas look cute but don't forget they are bears and as such can be ferocious. The only Panda we are likely to meet face to face is Hansa's soft toy version and we hope we can tempt you into taking one on. You will be delighted - this soft toy animal is absolutely beautiful!

Toys That Teach A great part of Hansa's mission is to educate children and adults alike about the world's animals and so, as well as being very close plush recreations of the original, every Hansa toy comes with a 'Toys That Teach' tag, which describes each animal's:

- Habitat
- Lifestyle
- Gestation period
- Care of young
- Eating habits

So you not only get a wonderful soft toy but also an understanding of the animal and its behaviour in its very own kingdom.