Sichuan Panda Tours: Facts And Myths To Check Beforehand
The giant panda is highly adored in China. It has a prominent place in the country’s history and mythology. In ancient times, they were known as pixiu and represented both serenity and might. They embody the yin-yang symbol, which represents balance and harmony.
Today, we will look into the facts and myths regarding Giant Panda. This will help you to prepare for your Sichuan panda tours.
How did Pandas get their marks?
Giant Pandas are considered "sacred creatures of the forest" and "living fossils". They are the only mammal to have survived the Pleistocene period, three million years ago, when the saber-toothed tiger existed.
Chinese people see them as a symbol of peace. Thus, they are still used as significant gifts for royalty or politicians, as a gesture of goodwill to foreign countries. Early Chinese emperors kept enormous pandas as emblems of strength and bravery to ward off evil spirits and natural calamities.
The folklore goes like this. All pandas were originally white. One day, a shepherdess was out with her sheep when she noticed a panda being mauled by a tiger. She grabbed a stick and struck the tiger, freeing the panda from its jaws. Unfortunately, the tiger killed the beautiful shepherdess. At the time, rubbing soot on the body was considered a mourning rite. Many pandas attended the funeral out of respect for the shepherdess. They cried and scratched their eyes with their paws, leaving their fur blackened. They also rubbed their noses and placed their paws over their ears to muffle the sound of sobbing. This is supposed to be how pandas acquired their characteristic black markings.
Top facts about Pandas
Here are the top facts to know before visiting Pandas in Sichuan.
Pandas have superb camouflage
The giant pandas' distinctive black-and-white markings serve two purposes: camouflage and communication. The majority of the panda's body is white, including its face, neck, belly, and rump, to help it conceal in snowy environments. The arms and legs are dark, allowing it to conceal in the shade.
Cubs are highly protected in the first month
During their first month, mother pandas maintain almost constant contact with their child. The cub rests on her front and remains covered by her paw, arm, or head.
Pandas can swim and climb trees
Giant pandas are great swimmers and tree climbers. Giant panda cubs start to climb at the age of 5 months, occasionally practicing on their mother.
Myths regarding Giant Pandas
These are the following myths regarding pandas:
Pandas are gentle and cuddly
No, they are not as evident in the photographs. They are bears and are designed to be aggressive. They even hurt one another, especially while establishing dominance or competing during mating season.
Incompetent Breeders
Giant Panda Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling were a breeding pair at the National Zoo for nearly two decades. Unfortunately, neither of the five panda cubs has survived.
Some biologists believe that reproductive ineptitude is one of the major factors contributing to the panda's endangered status. However, there is little indication that pandas are poor breeders in nature.
Pandas in captivity are rare
Only 50 pandas reside outside of China. However, there are roughly 345 captive pandas in the country. Wild pandas are still endangered, with just an estimated 1,800 remaining. Captive pandas play an important role in conveying the conservation message. In contrast to other endangered species in captivity, the global population of captive pandas is robust and thriving.
Conclusion
Thus, before embarking on Sichuan panda tours ensure that you know the facts and myths associated with these animals. Pandas have excellent camouflaging competency and they are not gentle species as portrayed in photographs. So, do thorough research about them before going on a trip to China.
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