Giant Panda and Polar Bear
There are eight species of bears that live all around the world. There are North American black bears, brown bears, polar bears, Asiatic black bears, Andea bears, panda bears, sloth bears, and sun bears. They are different in colors and sizes and are mammals that belong to the same family classification, named Ursidae. This essay will deepen the information about giant pandas and polar bears taxonomy, physical characteristics, habitat, and how they are impacted by climate change. Giant pandas and polar bears are closely related and share interesting similarities and also differences.
The taxonomy of polar bears and giant pandas. Based on their classification the giant panda and the polar bears have the same kingdom, animalia. Polar bears and giant pandas phylum share the same chordata, their class is mammalia, they both are classified carnivore animals and come from the same family, Ursidae. However, the giant panda's genus is Ailuropoda, while the polar bear's genus is Ursus. They also have different species. The giant pandas species is Ailuropoda melanoleuca and the Polar Bear species is Ursus maritimus.
In terms of physical characteristics, giant pandas are not as heavy as polar bears. Giant pandas weigh between 70-125 kg, whereas polar bears weigh from 200-600 kg. Polar bears are up to eight feet tall, whereas Giant Pandas are up to six feet tall. They both have fluffy fur, their fur is as fluffy as a pillow and they use their fur to hide. The white patches of pandas help them to hide in snowy habitats and the black fur patches help them to hide in dark places. Whereas, the white fur of polar bears helps them to hide in the snowy ice in the Arctic. Panda bears and polar bears have thick wooly coats that keep them warm in the winter. Giant pandas are famous for their large size and round head. They have black patches around the eyes and over the ears and body. According to world wildlife.org, polar bears fur that looks white is actually transparent hair and only looks white because it reflects visible light. Under the thick fur, their skin is in fact black.
The way these two bears have adapted in terms of their fur colour, size and weight is directly connected to their habitat. Giant pandas mostly live in large bamboo forests high in the mountains of southwest China, whereas polar bears live mostly on the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean. Polar bears are considered the only bear species of marine mammals. Giant pandas’ primary food source is Bamboo. Both giant pandas and polar bears have carnivorous digestive systems. However, giant pandas eat 90 percent bamboo. Giant pandas’ strong jaws and huge skulls help them munch on their strong bamboos. They spend around 10-16 hours a day eating and sleeping. Polar bears are considered the most carnivorous bears in the family. Their favorite diet is seals. Polar bears eat seals like killer whales. They help to maintain polar bears fat and muscle throughout the year.
Lastly, it has come to my attention that climate change has a significant impact on both polar bears and giant pandas. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, in 2016 Giant panda has been downlisted from endangered to vulnerable due to conservation success. Currently, there are 1,864 left in the wild. In addition, based on an article from the Polar bear international website, Polar bears are dependent on their habitat, which also makes them vulnerable to climate change. Due to the rising temperatures in the Arctic, it is projected that ice in parts of the Arctic will melt eventually. This will impact the ability for polar bears to find food. Polar bears are classified as vulnerable the same as giant pandas. Therefore, one of the conservation of polar bears is to protect areas of ice in the Arctic.
In conclusion, at first we know that giant pandas and polar bears have many similarities. But after we identified their taxonomy, physical descriptions, and their habitats for example polar bears and giant pandas have different food. And unfortunately, both these beautiful creatures may become extinct due to climate change. Both giant pandas and polar bears are still at risk and require continued support in conserving wildlife and the habitat where these animals live.
Bibliography
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National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/giant-panda
National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/bears-grizzly-polar-panda
Swaisgood, R., Wang, D. & Wei, F. 2016. Ailuropoda melanoleuca (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. Retrieved from https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/712/121745669
Wiig, Ø., Amstrup, S., Atwood, T., Laidre, K., Lunn, N., Obbard, M., Regehr, E. & Thiemann, G. 2015. Ursus maritimus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015. Retrieved from https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22823/14871490
Vincenzo Penteriani & Mario Mellett Climate change and the bears: The case of polar bear and giant panda. Retrieved from http://www.cambridgeblog.org/2021/02/climate-change-and-bears-the-case-of-polar-bear-and-giant-panda/
Mao-Ning Tuanmu Climate change impacts on understorey bamboo species and giant pandas in China’s Qinling Mountains. Retrieved from
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Advani, NK, 2017. WWF Wildlife and Climate Change Series: Giant Panda. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved from https://c402277.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/publications/992/files/original/WWF_Giant_Panda_climate_assessment_web.pdf?1488211328
Advani, NK, 2017. WWF Wildlife and Climate Change Series: Polar Bear. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved from http://assets.worldwildlife.org/publications/835/files/original/WWF_Polar_Bear_climate_assessment_web.pdf?1479741876&_ga=2.92850077.1447264469.1634601028-1595030909.1632758999
Best Of Panda 2019 Why do Giant Pandas only Eat Bamboo? Retrieved from https://www.bestofpanda.com/why-do-giant-pandas-only-eat-bamboo/
Written By Quino/ Year 7
About me: I'm a student who enjoys playing baseball and try fun things. This essay helps me a lot in sharpening my writing skills in the long run. I also like the topic around endangered animals, so that we can all be aware and care about global warming and environmental issues are real.
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