Giant Panda Female Skull Replica

Description

Giant panda female skull replica measures 10.4 x 8.0 x 8.5 inches. The Ailuropoda melanoleuca skull is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast of a California Academy of Sciences specimen. 2-part skull (separate cranium and mandible). 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The giant panda is also known as panda bear is a bear native to South Central China. In general,  the giant panda has a round head, stocky body, and short tail. The shoulder height is 65 to 70 cm.

The giant panda is well-known for its distinctive black and white markings. The limbs, eyes, ears, and shoulders are all black and the rest of the body is white. In some areas the black actually has a chestnut-red tinge.

The dark markings around the eyes may be the reason for these animals’ popularity giving them a wide-eyed, juvenile appearance.

An enlarged shoulder and neck region along with a smaller back end gives giant pandas an ambling gait. Giant pandas also have several adaptations to the skull.

They have a large sagittal crest that has become wider and deeper resulting in powerful jaws. The molars and premolars are wider and flatter than other bears’ and they have developed extensive ridges and cusps in order to grind tough bamboo.

A notable feature of the giant panda is an extra, opposable digit on the hand known as “the panda’s thumb.” This digit is not actually a thumb but a pad of skin overlying a radial sesamoid structure (wrist bone).

Unlike many other bears they do not hibernate. However, it will descend to lower elevations during the winter. Giant pandas do not build permanent dens but rather take shelter in trees and caves. They are primarily terrestrial, though good climbers and capable of swimming.

The giant panda is mainly solitary except for the breeding season. Mother pandas play with their cubs, but not just to appease the young. Some mothers have actually woken the infant to start to play.

The giant panda can be found in China Sichuan Providence in dense montane bamboo forests.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Ursidae
• Genus: Ailuropoda
• Species: A. melanoleuca
• Binomial name: Ailuropoda melanoleuca David, 1869
• Conservation status: Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)

Lulu, the giant panda female skull replica, is learning how to ride a Radio Flyer tricycle. She is really catching on to how to turn it.

Ice, the polar bear skull replica, offered to take her out on the ice where it will be easier for her to turn.

Slow, the sloth bear skull replica, uses the push bar attached to the back of the tricycle and goes very slowly to avoid scaring Lulu.

Beni, the spectacled bear skull replica, taught her how to put her legs up over the handlebars and hang on tight. He pushes her as fast as he can run. Lulu screams in delight and is having so much fun. He is a great uncle to have.