Pandas are great. The Chinese think of them as national treasures, and they have been around for a long time. But have you ever wondered, are there pandas in Japan?
This post will take a look at the history of pandas in Japan and some of the interesting details surrounding them!
Are There Pandas In Japan?
Yes, there are pandas in Japan. However, you can only find them in Japanese zoos because they Japan is not their natural habitat. The first panda to ever come to Japan was Su Lin, who arrived in 1936 as a gift from China.
Can I Touch a Panda in Japan?
If you want to touch a panda, your best bet is to travel to China. In Japan, you can only look at them from a distance.
What Do Pandas Eat?
Bamboo! A panda’s diet consists almost entirely of bamboo. They will also eat other plants and occasionally small animals, but bamboo makes up 99% of their diet.
Do Pandas Like Sushi?
This is a popular question, but there is no clear answer. Some people say that pandas like sushi because they are often seen eating bamboo, and bamboo is used to make sushi rolls. Other people say that pandas do not like sushi because they are picky eaters.
How About Red Pandas? Where Do They Live?
Red pandas are also not native to Japan. However, you can find them in the wild in the mountains of central China. They have also been known to live in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
What Do Japanese People Think About Pandas?
The Japanese people have a lot of love for pandas. In fact, a recent survey found that 68% of Japanese people want to see pandas in the wild in Japan. This is higher than any other country surveyed!
There are many reasons why the Japanese people love pandas. For one, they are seen as a symbol of peace and friendship. They are also seen as a national treasure in China, which is Japan’s closest neighbor.
Despite the fact that pandas are not native to Japan, the Japanese people have taken them into their hearts!
What Are the Main Differences Between Giant Pandas and Red Pandas?
The main difference between giant pandas and red pandas is their size. Giant pandas are much larger, weighing up to 250 pounds. Red pandas are much smaller, only weighing up to 20 pounds.
Other differences include their diet and habitat. Giant pandas primarily eat bamboo, while red pandas eat fruits, nuts, and insects. Giant pandas live in the mountains of central China, while red pandas live in the mountains of Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
Red pandas have a somewhat raccoon-like body, a long bushy tail, and soft red fur. Meanwhile, giant pandas have a more bear-shaped body, short stubby tails, and black and white.
Red pandas spend the majority of their time in trees, and they seldom go on the ground to give birth. Giant pandas are excellent climbers, but they seldom spend time in the trees. Instead, big pandas can be observed on the ground.
Interesting Details About Pandas In Japan
While pandas are not native to Japan, the country has had a long history with them. In fact, the first recorded arrival of a panda in Japan.
The first pandas in Japan were brought over from China as gifts in the early 7th century. In fact, it is said that Empress Wu Zetian gifted a panda to the Japanese emperor. However, these pandas did not stay in Japan for long and were eventually sent back to China.
It was not until 1972 that pandas made their way back to Japan. This time, two pandas were gifted to the people of Japan by Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai as a sign of friendship between the two countries. These pandas, named Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, became quite popular in Japan and were even featured in a number of commercials and movies.
Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, unfortunately, passed away in 1992 and 1999 respectively. However, their legacy lives on as there are now many pandas living in zoos across Japan. In fact, it is estimated that there are over 50 pandas living in captivity in Japan today.
So, if you’re ever in Japan and have a chance to visit a zoo, make sure to check out the pandas! They are definitely worth a look.