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. Fossil remains also have been found in present-day Burma.
Giant pandas are bear-like in shape with striking black and white markings.
They have thick, woolly coats to insulate them from the cold. However, unlike the black bear, giant pandas do not hibernate and cannot walk on their hind legs. They also have very powerful jaws and teeth to crush bamboo. While bamboo stalks and roots make up about 95 percent of its diet, the giant panda also feeds on gentians, irises, crocuses, fish, and occasionally small rodents. It must eat 20 to 40 pounds of food each day to survive, and spends 10 to 16 hours a day feeding.