Giant pandas have a "pseudo thumb," formed by an elongated and enlarged wrist bone covered with a fleshy pad of skin, which helps them grasp bamboo.Pandas communicate through scent marking throughout their habitat and territory.They sometimes chirp, honk, bleat, chomp and bark. Pandas are solitary animals but will vocalize during social interactions.Though there are many theories, scientists are not certain why giant pandas have their distinctive black-and-white markings. Giant pandas are still considered a “vulnerable” species. Pandas are no longer an endangered species, thanks in part to Smithsonian research! Scientists and conservationists have worked to restore the giant panda’s habitat and increase breeding in human care.As few as 1,864 giant pandas live in their native habitat, while another 600 pandas live in zoos and breeding centers around the world.The pair and their cub will stay at the Zoo until 2023 through an agreement with China Wildlife Conservation Association. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, the Zoo’s adult panda pair, arrived in 2000.The Zoo’s first pandas, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, were a gift from Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai to the American people in 1972 after First Lady Patricia Nixon mentioned how much she loved them at a dinner in Beijing, China, earlier that year. The Smithsonian's National Zoo has been home to giant pandas for 50 years! Enjoy these 50 fun facts in honor of the occasion.
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