Summary ^[1]:

1. Camouflage and Communication: Giant pandas have distinctive black-and-white markings that serve a dual purpose. Their face, neck, belly, and rump are white, helping them blend into snowy habitats, while their arms and legs are black, aiding in shade camouflage.

2. Unique Eyes: Unlike most bears, giant pandas have vertical-slit pupils similar to domestic cats, giving them unique and specialized vision.

3. Swimming and Tree Climbing: These pandas are surprisingly skilled swimmers and excellent tree climbers. At just 5 months old, panda cubs start learning how to climb, often practicing by climbing on their mother.

4. Dietary Habits: Giant pandas are renowned for their voracious appetite and spend a significant portion of their day feeding. They devote approximately 10 to 16 hours each day to consuming food, with bamboo being their primary source of nourishment.

5. Bamboo Dependency: Bamboo is crucial to the panda's diet. To avoid starvation, pandas require access to at least two different species of bamboo in their habitat. These plants provide the majority of their nutritional needs.

6. Exclusive Habitat: Giant pandas are an exclusive species found solely in China. They are native to certain regions of China and are not naturally found anywhere else in the world.