The Cutest Of All Bears
While most bears can seem intimidating and vicious, there's something about pandas that just feels different. You've likely seen all those reels online showing these animals being lazy, eating all day, and sleeping. Maybe that's why pandas just seem so innocent! But to show you that there's more to these creatures, here are five fun facts you probably never knew before.
1. The Panda's Fur Is Great Camouflage
You might be thinking, "Black and white must be incredibly noticeable in the wild, no"? But the truth is, the panda's uniquely colored fur is actually a great camouflage tool that allows them to blend into their snowy and cold environments. You'd be surprised by how well they blend in!
2. Pandas Are Excellent Swimmers
Given how many lazy panda videos are online, you probably only associate these creatures with trees and lounging around in enclosed habitats. But the truth is, pandas are actually great swimmers, just like many other bear species. It can definitely come in handy when trying to escape from predators.
Freysteinn G. Jonsson on Unsplash
3. Pandas Spend Majority Of Their Day Eating
What you see online isn't entirely false though - pandas do spend most of their time eating. In fact, they eat far much more than they even sleep! Potentially eating for up to 16 hours a day, these cuddly beasts need a lot of bamboo to function.
4. Pandas Are Actually Omnivores
With how much bamboo they eat, you'd probably be surprised to learn that pandas aren't herbivores, but technically, omnivores. Though they eat bamboo for the vast majority of the time, they will occcasionally eat small prey, like rats, frogs, or fish.
5. Pandas Don't Hibernate
Although you've learned in school that bears hibernate in the winter, pandas are the exception. Because bamboo is around throughout the year and their thick fur protects them from the cold, pandas instead move habitats to places that are warmer when others hibernate. Don't get us wrong though - they still sleep an insane amount!
