The Xiongmao Bear

The "Xiongmao" Bear "Xiongmao", the Chinese name for the giant panda means "giant cat bear". Chinese books, written over 3,000 years ago, talk of the giant panda. Even then, it was believed to be endowed with mystical powers capable of warding off natural disasters and evil spirits. The scientific name for giant pandas, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, simply means black and white bear. For centuries, the giant panda bear has been considered to be very special and was …

…other skills of living in the wild. Hibernation Giant pandas are one of the four bear species who do not hibernate. The reasons for this are twofold. First, the natural food source of these bears is not sufficiently high in calories and protein to allow them to put on sufficient fat resources to last a lengthy period of hibernation. Second, they live in a habitat zone where food is available on a year round basis.