The giant pandas are known for their calm and playful nature. Therefore, you may think that giant pandas are friendly creatures.
Here’s a surprising answer –
Although giant pandas may be playful and calm, they are not as friendly as they look.
The giant pandas are known to be solitary animals. Therefore, they love their space and would rather not be disturbed.
Most times, their relationship with humans depends on their habitat.
For example,
Giant pandas found in captivity are usually used to humans. They tend to interact with those caring for and feeding them.
In this situation, these giant pandas are usually nice.
While I mentioned that giant pandas are really not friendly, let’s take at 2 main reasons why people think they are.
Table of Contents
- Why Most People Think Giant Pandas Are Friendly:
- Why You Should Not Mess With a Panda:
- Are Baby Pandas Friendly?
- Final Thoughts
Why Most People Think Giant Pandas Are Friendly:
1. Because they are used to human presence
Some giant pandas are captured into captivity. It could either be as panda cubs or when they have become adults.
As time goes on, they become used to seeing humans. These panda caretakers care for them and even feed them.
This way, they are usually friendly to the caretakers and other humans as well.
2. Because they are in captivity
There is usually a significant difference between pandas living in the wild, and those in captivity. Some of those differences can be seen in their behavior.
Giant pandas in captivity are friendly because their environment differs. While pandas in the wild tend to behave wild, pandas in captivity are more cultured.
The giant pandas are confined in a particular habitat for a long time. This changes their behavior, as they have to begin to behave more like domestic animals.
Since the giant pandas are not friendly, why exactly should you not mess with them?
Let’s find out!
Why You Should Not Mess With a Panda:
1. They have sharp claws
Naturally, a giant panda has sharp claws. This could be a threat to humans who try to get close to them.
These claws are used to maintain a firm grip when climbing trees. They are also useful when giant pandas are feeding on bamboo.
They hold the bamboo firmly and turn them side to side with their claws while eating.
With these sharp claws, there is a need for humans to stay clear of pandas. Since the giant pandas are solitary animals, they love their space.
Therefore, a human intrusion is likely to make them use their sharp claws to protect themselves.
2. They have long canine
Just like humans, the giant pandas have sharp canines. This feature can be traced back to the giant pandas’ carnivorous ancestors.
These canines were formerly used to break down food.
Since the giant pandas have sharp canines, it is not advisable for humans to mess with them. They may attack when provoked or disturbed.
3. They could be aggressive
As a wild animal, the giant panda can be aggressive especially when threatened. Just like the bears, the giant pandas are naturally bred for combat.
Although they may be naturally peaceful, they will not relent to protect themselves in times of danger.
They protect themselves by fighting with their sharp teeth, and claws.
Now, we know the giant pandas are not friendly, but what about the baby pandas? Are they friendly?
CHECK OUT: What Color Is A Giant Panda?
Are Baby Pandas Friendly?
No, baby pandas are not friendly. They may look all cute and innocent, but they are not usually that way.
Both adult and baby pandas possess sharp teeth which they use to tear off bamboo stems for food. They also have sharp jaws, and claws.
With all these features, the baby pandas tend to attack humans if they feel threatened.
There are several online pictures of humans hugging baby pandas. But this does not suggest that the baby pandas are friendly to humans.
However, you might find the baby pandas relaxed, and calm.
CHECK OUT: What Food Do Baby Pandas Eat?
Final Thoughts
The giant pandas are not friendly. They are solitary animals and love their space.
Their nature makes them stay away from any form of attachment from their fellow pandas and humans as well.
Humans need to stay away from giant pandas because they have sharp teeth, jaws, and claws.
These are dangerous features for humans. The giant pandas usually attack humans with their teeth and claws when they feel threatened.
However, there are exceptions to this. Some giant pandas exhibit some friendly attitudes towards humans.
They are those taken into captivity, who do not live in the wild with the rest of the population.
When you find these pandas, they are cultured in some aspects and are used to human presence. Hence, they are likely not to attack humans.
As regards the baby pandas, they are not friendly as well.
Just like the adult pandas, the baby pandas have sharp teeth and claws. Most times, they could be as dangerous as adult pandas.
Perhaps, you are wondering if it is safe to adopt a giant panda as a pet, click here to find out!
