Relatives of Giant Panda
With many research done, scientist has discovered that the closest relatives to the giant pandas and the Andean Bear. They believe to be related because of the white/lights "rings" around the bears eyes that are similar to the ones that the pandas have as well. This also includes their habitat which takes place in the mountains with the elevation ranging from 6,000 to 8,800 feet, being the middle range of the elevation for the giant panda's. As like the panda bear, the andean bear is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN list.
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Adaptations of Giant PandaThe three main adaptions that the giant panda have are the 6 thumb, flat teeth and a strong stomach. Their 6 thumb allows them to climb are grab onto the bamboo that they will eat. Their flat teeth is a form of support for them to be able to chew on the bamboo sticks. Lastly, their strong stomach allows them to be able to break down and digest the bamboo that they have consumed. As mentioned from University of Wisconsin: Bioweb: Important Adaptations http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/barger_rach/adaptations.htm
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Environmental ChangesIn the past years, there has been a drastic climate change. Due to pollution, this has cause the worlds atmosphere to become warmer then usual. Essential to the giant panda, the bamboo tree's are "drying up" due to the extensive heat. The only resolution to this would be to grow these tree's at a higher elevation. The downside of this is that it will take a tree 2-3 years to grow, while spreading very gradually because of the way it has to adapt to it's new environment.
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PredictionWith the low population of giant panda and the decrease of bamboo trees, I believe that the possibility of them to grow as a species is very low. If the tree's were to be relocated, there will only be a few tree's, and the giant pandas will eat most of them faster then the time it takes for the plants to grow.
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