Giant pandas discriminate individual differences in conspecific scent. “Giant Pandas, Giant Panda Pictures, Giant Panda Facts”. Social and reproductive behaviors of the giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Retrieved 4 April, 2010 from īBC Science/Nature. “Upside down Zhennie during the rainstorm”. Now, looks like the battle for women is no longer just based on looks.īBC Wildlife. The males scent-mark frequently year-round, though increasing significantly during the mating season, whereas the females’ marking behaviour occurs predominantly during the mating season (Kleiman, 1985). They will rub an acidic-smelling substance, secreted by glands surrounding the ano-genital area, on tree trunks and stones through these various methods (Wanglang Nature Reserve, 2001). On top of the aforementioned handstand position, there are three other distinct gymnastic postures which the giant pandas often adopt to deposit their individual unique scent: squat, reverse on vertical surfaces and leg cock (Swaisgood, Lindburg & Zhou, 1998). Besides using scent to coordinate mating, these remarkable creatures also utilise it to mark their territory and establish social relationships. Known to be solitary mammals that have little visual and vocal contact with one another, the endangered giant pandas thus rely heavily on chemical communication through scent. This is done in the hope of attracting the females and scaring off rival competition (BBC Science/Nature, 2004). Thus, the males often go upside down on their front paws with the aim of pushing their urine as high up a tree trunk as possible. When a male panda scent-marks an object, the height of the mark actually lets other pandas know their size and status. Research has shown that male giant pandas ( Ailuropoda Melanoleuca) often perform such acrobatic acts to “impress the ladies” and intimate their rivals (National Geographic, 2010). Remember Po, the extremely clumsy yet skillful warrior in the movie Kung Fu Panda? Well, you will be amazed to know that pandas in real life can perform martial arts too – they can do the handstand!
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