Are Pandas dangerous? I mean all wild animals are, aren’t they? Isn’t it ironic despite the adorable appearance that they could potentially wound/injure a human or fellow panda? Well, stick around because there’s more to follow!
Pandas are well-known for the black spots on their eyes. They are irresistibly cute. As you can see, giant pandas are remarkably iconic in logos like the symbol for World Wildlife Fund or the delivery service app called Foodpanda. You also might have heard of or seen the movie, “Kung Fu Panda”.
The thought of them would make you smile for their popular coloration and playful spirit. Here, you’ll know more about where they originate, their profile, and their behavior.
The Panda Bear
Giant pandas are native to China, specifically in the mountainous regions of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. These pandas have existed in bamboo forests for millions of years, and are exclusively dependent on bamboo, 90% of their food consumption is bamboo.
They also eat meat such as rodents yet it’s an unusual part of their diet. Due to precedent clear-cutting and proliferation of infrastructures, they are forced to live in lowland areas, their former habitat.
There are about 2,000 of them that remain in their natural home while hundreds are in captivity by zookeepers and live in conservation centers in different parts of the world. It’s so upsetting that we witness this kind of species go through suffering they don’t even deserve.
The International Union of Conservation of Nature has classified them as vulnerable species because of the likeliness of extinction.
However, that won’t be the case because giant pandas have increased in some populations as a result of breeding programs in China. It’s great news for all of us but it might not be as great for animal rights advocates.
Looks can be deceiving: Are pandas dangerous?
The fact is they are dangerous, even more, dangerous than other species in the wild. They can weigh over 200 pounds and use that advantage to dominate and become overpowering.
Expert Tip: Pandas rarely show signs of violence if provoked by cruel treatment. And if so, they do it as an act of self-defense. Even zookeepers handle and approach them with precaution.
On pandas attacking humans
Yes, you read that right. Pandas do attack humans only out of irritation but very unoften. Take note! No matter how friendly they look, their attacks can be brutal. There was a previous case that happened in China.
“On June 7, 2009, a 39-year-old male tourist visiting Beijing City Zoo named Ma XX was attacked by a giant panda after accidentally falling into its enclosure. His left foot and right elbow joint were bitten by the giant panda.”
The lesson is to be wary of entering zoos and captive pandas. Meanwhile, the giant pandas in their natural habitat are more interested in searching for food than a person’s flesh. Most of their attacks are a form of self-defense.
Aggressive or not?
Pandas are physically built with huge molar teeth and strong jaws, big vicious claws, and rotund bodies. So if they sense an imminent threat around them, they can be and act extremely aggressive toward other pandas, animals, or people. They may look cozy at first sight but give it a second thought before getting near them!
The level of strength a panda has
You wouldn’t believe that a giant panda’s bite force is 2630 newtons. They are hands down one of the strongest animals you could ever imagine. Giant pandas usually eat for about 10-16 hours a day and bamboos are primarily what they eat. Bamboos are truly unmalleable.
Expert Tip: Watching them eat with ease is amazing. Their molar teeth and strong jaw are capable of breaking and crushing bamboo stalks.
Summary
Whether it could be a giant panda in captivity or a panda in the wild, they are dangerous as one. They possess one of the most powerful strengths in the land animal group. I hope that we now learn that looks can be surprisingly opposite and we should be setting distances on animals that look and are potentially harmful.
This should also serve as a reminder that giant pandas must feel safe in their natural habitat without the fear of habitat destruction and going extinct again. It is so important that we treat animals ethically, not for exploitation. The love we have for pandas is infinite. When we collectively take care of them, we save other species too.
