Legs, shoulders, ears and the oval patches around eyes are all black. Rest of coat is white. Coloring acts as camouflage when the animal moves across the snow. Holds bamboo with an enlarged wrist bone that looks like a thumb. Hairs on the soles of the feet give it traction and reduce heat loss on the ice and snow.
Some scientists disagree whether the giant panda is a type of bear or raccoon.
Others believe it is separate from either bears or raccoons. 11,500 feet in elevation. Heavy clouds, rain and mists cover these mountains all year. Szechuan, Shensi and Kansu provinces of Central and Western China. Mostly bamboo, a tall woody plant full of good fiber.