Origin and Natural History of the Giant Panda
The meaning of the giant panda's scientific name (Ailurpoda melandeuca) is "black and white cat footed animal", referring to the large paws pandas have. Common names are "panda", "panda bear", "bamboo bear", "cat bear" among others. An old Chinese name for the animal is Daxiongmao which means "large bear cat". Old tales state that it was so named because of it's slit eyes, which resemble that of a cat.
Pandas were first seen in late Pliocene to early Pleistocene, maybe no more than 2 to 3 million years ago. Panda fossils have bee found in Burma, Vietnam and Eastern China, as far north as Beijing. In the second century, pandas were rare and considered as a semi-divine animal. The emperor of the Han dynasty had almost 40 rare animals in his garden, one of which was the giant panda. The giant panda was the most treasured of all the animals. Panda furs and skins were even given as highly favorable gifts. Chinese poet Bai Juyi said that pandas have "mystical powers" able to prevent natural disasters and expel evil spirits. Pandas were unknown outside of the Middle Kingdom until the Qing Dynasty opened China's doors to trade and the Western world near the end of the 19th century. The first panda was brought to the United States in 1936 by Ruth Harkness. Harkness' husband had wanted to find and capture a panda in China and bring it to America, but he died before he could complete his task. As a tribute to her husband, Harkness' set out to complete it for him. Harkness' bringing the 9-month old panda into the states began the world wide fame and adoration of pandas that continues today.
The meaning of the giant panda's scientific name (Ailurpoda melandeuca) is "black and white cat footed animal", referring to the large paws pandas have. Common names are "panda", "panda bear", "bamboo bear", "cat bear" among others. An old Chinese name for the animal is Daxiongmao which means "large bear cat". Old tales state that it was so named because of it's slit eyes, which resemble that of a cat.
Pandas were first seen in late Pliocene to early Pleistocene, maybe no more than 2 to 3 million years ago. Panda fossils have bee found in Burma, Vietnam and Eastern China, as far north as Beijing. In the second century, pandas were rare and considered as a semi-divine animal. The emperor of the Han dynasty had almost 40 rare animals in his garden, one of which was the giant panda. The giant panda was the most treasured of all the animals. Panda furs and skins were even given as highly favorable gifts. Chinese poet Bai Juyi said that pandas have "mystical powers" able to prevent natural disasters and expel evil spirits. Pandas were unknown outside of the Middle Kingdom until the Qing Dynasty opened China's doors to trade and the Western world near the end of the 19th century. The first panda was brought to the United States in 1936 by Ruth Harkness. Harkness' husband had wanted to find and capture a panda in China and bring it to America, but he died before he could complete his task. As a tribute to her husband, Harkness' set out to complete it for him. Harkness' bringing the 9-month old panda into the states began the world wide fame and adoration of pandas that continues today.
