Giant pandas live in dense bamboo and coniferous forests at altitudes of 5,000 to 10,000 feet. The mountains are shrouded in heavy clouds with torrential rains or dense mist throughout the year. Adult giant pandas are four to six feet long and may weigh up to 350 pounds. The giant panda reaches sexual maturity between four and six years of age. Females are in estrus for only one to three weeks out of the year, usually between March and May, and in that brief period, are at peak receptiveness for only a few days.
Litters range from one to three cubs, but usually only one survives.
In the wild, cubs are weaned at nine months but may remain with their mothers until 18 months or older. Giant pandas do not breed well in captivity. There are currently about 110-120 giant pandas in captivity with the majority of those in China. There are only two zoos in the United States exhibiting giant pandas, the San Diego Zoo and Zoo Atlanta. The giant panda is known as the panda bear or bamboo bear, or in Chinese as Daxiongmao, the large bear cat.