Our affection for Pandas goes beyond their cute black & white patterned coats and generally pacific personalities. Extensively studied and observed in captivity at zoos and conservation centers, these rare bears have been caught countless times engaging in, well, engaging behavior of which we’re presenting 8 eye-opening examples.
New Bears On The Blocks
(images via: M.I.C Gadget and People’s Daily Online)
When you’re a Panda, staying cool is always a black & white issue – such is life when you’re covered in thick fur, don’t shed, and (unlike most other bears) don’t even hibernate.
(images via: CCTV, China Whisper and Telegraph Media Group Limited)
In their typically mountainous and forested natural habitat Pandas cope well with summer temperatures but at the Wuhan City Zoo where temps recently soared to 35 degrees Celsius (95° Fahrenheit) it’s another story entirely. Luckily for the Pandas, zookeepers hit on a very cool solution to help them beat the heat: big blocks of ice!
LeBruin James
(image via: Odd Stuff)
Looks like somebody’s taking their talents to South Beijing… if they can drag themselves out of the hot tub first. Seriously, this is one Panda with balls – OK, one Panda with one ball and you just know that if he ever gets onto the court you’re gonna see some truly amazing dribbling.
It’s A Red-Legger Day
(image via: National Geographic)
The number of visitors to the Chiba Zoological Park near Tokyo, Japan greatly increased in 2005 following word that Futa, a 2-year-old Red (or Lesser) Panda had a habit of standing on his hind legs. Red Pandas can live up to 15 years in captivity but the oddly shiny statue erected by the Park will live on long after he’s gone.
(images via: Odango Homes, Doubutu1 and Cryptomundo)
“We have kept lesser pandas for nearly 20 years at this zoo,” stated Chiba Zoological Park official Hiroyuki Asano, “but I have not seen one like Futa, which can stand for such a long time.” Futa isn’t as bipedal as still photos and screen-shots seem to show, however, as his two-legged excursions typically last for only 10 or so seconds.
Panda Pig-Out
(images via: These Humours, Chengdus & Don’ts, Animal Pictures & Wallpapers and Inadawords)
Pandas eat a lot and they love to eat, which leads to scenes like those above. Yes indeed, you can call Pandas chubby, lazy, sleepy or any other of the Seven Dwarfs’ names but don’t call them late for dinner! Of course, the visual impact of multiple near-identical Pandas all chowing down in unison is a wonder in itself.
