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The Camouflage Panda

The Camouflage Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), previously known as the Giant Panda, or simply Panda is native to south central Asia and has evolved to have a camouflage fur coat. Pandas are carnivorous mammals that live on land and have a very relaxed lifestyle. A Camouflage Panda’s characteristics are not that different from that of a typical black and white panda. Its diet is still 99% bamboo and it continues to be a symbol of peace in Asia. A Camouflage Panda has a fur coat consisting of browns and greens, mimicking the Asian forests they reside in.  (photo to the left features Pandas original colored fur.)

Picture of a Panda before evolution occured

History and Evolution

Since 1869 Pandas have been hunted and used for their fur. This has led to a major decrease in the panda population, causing them to be on the endangered species list since the 1990s. Although they are seen as a symbol of peace in China, it hasn’t stopped the population from declining (due to loss of habitat and poaching). It was once endangered but has managed to evolve and repopulate the Asian forests.The panda population was reaching an all-time low when they began to evolve. Certain pandas started to have hints of brown and green patches on their fur, and this seemed to be advantageous and led to a longer lifespan. This trait soon was demonstrated in the majority of pandas and has since been passed down to current generations. It has evolved from it’s typical black and white fur coat and gradually turned into a camouflage-like color. Now the majority of pandas have colors that best suit their environment and this has helped them hide in plain sight, causing for panda deaths to lower. This means that the population is slowly growing once again and that Camouflage Pandas are here to stay.

Biology

An Idea of what the Camouflage Panda's fur looks like

They have evolved, so that they now have a camouflage fur. This helps them hide in the wild from predators, and poachers. Though their biology has stayed the same, their new adaptation feature allows them to hide in plain sight. Now not endangered, and thriving, the Camouflage Panda are able to repopulate the forests of china once again. They can now eat less food and be full of nutrients for the day, and also have enough energy so they do not have to spend hours searching, and eating food.

Lifestyle and Diet

A picture of Bamboo, the main ingredient in a Camouflage Panda's diet

They have a very stressless lifestyle. They exert little energy, and eat for as long as 14 hours a day. They eat grasses, wild fruits, insects, and mice. Camouflage Pandas sleep about 2 to 4 hours, between meals. Overall they are slow, lazy, and very calm animals. Bamboo. Also wild fruits, insects, and mice. Though they have evolved to eat less food, since they are endangered. Now being able to keep full while eating less food.

Etemology

Originally from Nepal, in the 19th century, the word Panda means a large bearlike mammal with characteristic black and white markings, native to certain mountain forests of central and western China. Camouflage originally from  Italian and French roots. Then they collided into another French meaning, in the late 19th century. Thus creating the definition an animal's natural coloring or form that enables it to blend in with its surroundings. Together they create a Camouflage Panda, A bear like mammal native to the mountain forests of central and western China, who has natural coloring on its body to blend into its surroundings.

Habitat and Population

A picture of a Camouflage Panda's habitat

Camo Pandas are only found in the mountainous regions of China. They’re mainly found in the provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu. These provinces are filled with cool, wet bamboo forests that are perfect for the pandas because of their diet, mainly including bamboo. The population of giant pandas was rapidly decreasing, surveyed in 2003, the Camo Panda population in China has increased by approximately 300 (1,596 to 1,864). This is nearly a 17% increase. They were an endangered species until this camoflauge trait allowed them to hide and protect themselves from poachers. In the past few years, the population of camo giant pandas has increased slowly.

Impacts on the earth

Pandas have a huge role in China; they spread seeds of the bamboo plant. By doing this, more vegetation is appearing in China. Thus helping all other animals that live there. They are essential to the ecosystem, and are one of the leading contributers to the spread of vegetation in China's mountain areas. By saving the Camo Panda, many other species in its area have been protected. About 70% of the country’s forest mammals, 70% of the forest birds, and 31% of the forest’s amphibians have been helped by the protection and preservation of the panda.

Summary

Since 1869 Pandas have been poached, and hunted for their fur, this rapidly decreased their population, until in the 1990’s they were placed on the endangered species list. They were at this point being protected, by government officials. Amazing enough, the Panda was saved on the brink of extinction. They are now classified as “Vulnerable” and have learned to evolve, and stay present in the world. Their black and white fur, has almost entirely been changed to brown and green. This allows them to hide in plain sight, and survive. Now earning the title Camouflage Panda.They have a great impact on the environment around them, they spread seeds, from the plants that they eat, which make their way to the ground and grow. Resulting in a greener, more environmentally friendly habitat for the existing animals. Everyday the Camouflage panda spends about 1 to 2 hours finding food, compared to the 12 to 14 hours before they evolved, this is a huge decrease. They also sleep around 2 to 4 hours between meals. Typically living in the mountain areas of china, where bamboo forests flourish. Bamboo being the number one ingredient in their diet, this is an ideal location for them to call home.

Refrences

Giant Panda wikipedia.

How do Giant Pandas survive?

Why are Pandas Black and White?

History of the Giant Panda.