Panda

AN ICONIC FOODIE

In the middle of Copenhagen Zoo, two very special bears sit, climb and play – the pandas. They stand out from other bears, both in appearance and behavior. And they have some very special diets.

The panda's black and white fur is iconic and easy to recognize. But it is especially its menu that makes it unique: Up to 99% of its food consists of bamboo! A panda typically spends 14-16 hours a day eating and can consume 20-40 kg. It eats both stems, leaves and fresh shoots. The rest of the time is spent resting and sleeping.

In the wild, pandas live in bamboo forests in Asia, often high up in the mountains – up to 3,000 meters above sea level. Here, temperatures can drop significantly, especially in winter. That is why the panda has a thick fur that helps it stay warm in the cold climate.

The males move over large areas, which often overlap with those of several females. They mark their territory by rubbing themselves against trees and rocks, so that other pandas know they are nearby.

Pandas are generally solitary and prefer to live alone. They only seek each other out during the mating season in spring. But time is short – the female is only in heat for a few days a year.

Once the female has given birth, she alone takes care of the cub. The cub stays with the mother for 1-2 years, where it learns to find food, water and safety before it has to manage life in the mountains on its own.