Do you like giant pandas and how cute and cuddly they are? Most people do. But giant pandas are in great danger. These animals that eat almost 16 hours a day are becoming extinct. Find out why when you read about their characteristics, lifespan, habitat, diet, why they are becoming extinct and what you can do to help. Giant pandas usually look alike. These black and white coated animals have thick coats to keep them warm in cool forests. These animals with cat like pupils have five fingers on their front paws. They have large molar teeth and strong jaws to help with eating bamboo. Usually, males are larger than females. Pandas appear cute and cuddly but they can be very fierce. A giant panda's life span is at the most 35 years in a zoo. In the wild it is a much shorter. There are about 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild. One panda and their cubs need about 2 square miles in the wild. Giant pandas only travel about 15.5 miles per hour. The giant panda's habitat is unique and very different from other animals. They live mostly in China and surrounding countries in few mountain ranges with elevations from 5,000 to 10,000 feet. Some are also in zoos all around the world. Pandas used to live in lowland areas, but due to farming and other development, they have been forced to move. Their shrinking forests has been one of the reasons for their loss in numbers. They need to be around broadleaf forests with lots of bamboo to survive. One panda and their cubs need about 2 square miles in the wild. A giant panda's diet is not much. It is 99% bamboo. They regularly eat 20-40 pounds of bamboo a day. They occasionally eat grass and small rodents. Giant pandas are becoming extinct for many reasons. The most common one is there habitats are being destroyed. If they have nowhere to live or go, how will they survive. Another one is mass tourism. A lot of people are trying to find giant pandas because they are very rare. Another reason is natural disasters. If there are earthquakes near a panda's home, it can cause damage and they can die. There are many things you can do to help. One thing is travel smart. Tourism can hurt their habitats. You also can donate money to help. Also, giant pandas in zoos are good. They can breed without having worries and that will bring the population up. When you see baby pandas when they are newborn, it gives you a warm feeling. As Dr.Don Neiffer has said. “ A screaming baby panda makes us all happy.” As you can see, giant pandas are amazing creatures. But, they are still endangered. There are many things that you can do to help them. Why don't you get started? Spread the word and go help!