When you see an adorable panda on TV, you may think about pandas as pets! Now, the question is, can you have a panda as a pet? It’s interesting to find out.
Can you have a pet panda? The short answer is no! Well, there is a reason that you can’t have pandas as pets. You also need to know that the big giant panda (black and white) and the red pandas (that look like raccoons) can’t be your pets! You must note that the information and discussion here are mostly on the giant pandas!
Let’s find out more about it.
Can You Keep A Pet Panda?
No, you can’t keep a pet panda. All the pandas belong to China, even those you see in the zoo. Besides, keeping a pet panda is expensive and impossible as they eat lots of bamboo daily. You may need a bamboo forest to feed the pandas; thus, it would be expensive. But of course, it’s hypothetical, as you can’t keep a pet panda in your home.
According to World Wide Life, the status of the giant pandas is vulnerable, and their population is 1864 in the wild. Since fewer pandas exist worldwide, it’s best not to keep them as pets and let them live a life they enjoy! The goal is to save the species from extinction, and you must play your part to save the pandas in this world. So, if there is anything that you can do in that regard, then it would be great!
According to Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, a panda must consume 70 to 100 pounds of bamboo daily. So, to meet the nutrient requirements, a panda would spend most of the time dealing with food (about 16 hours) while it spends the rest of the time sleeping and relaxing.
Apart from all this, pandas prefer being alone except when mating. So, they enjoy their time alone, and thus, they won’t enjoy your company as pets.
Considering the nature of pandas and their nutrition requirements, it’s easy to say that pandas won’t be suitable pets. On the other hand, you may find other types of pets interesting that are easy to take care of and are not endangered.
So, now you know that pandas can’t be pets. So, it’s best to find an alternative option. However, at this point, you must also remember that both types of pandas, whether the black and white or the red panda, can’t be your pets! So, it’s best to stick to the animals that would be happy within the comfort of your home, plus that would be easy to manage and would fall under your budget.
How Are Giant Pandas Different From Red Pandas?
You may hear about two types of pandas. The common ones are black and white, of course! But there are also red pandas. The red pandas appear more like a raccoon. When you spot a red panda, it appears like a raccoon. An interesting thing to note here is that you would find both species in China. You can’t keep the giant red panda as your pet! The hunting of these pandas is also illegal.
The scientific name for the giant panda is Ailuropoda melanoleuca. You can expect the weight of a panda to be anywhere between 220 pounds to 330 pounds. Female pandas are usually 200 pounds, while males are bulkier, weighing up to 300 pounds or more.
The height of an adult panda could be more than 4 ft. It’s interesting to know the background of the pandas, as these could be your favorite animals! Plus, knowing the specifics and background would give you a glimpse of whether keeping pandas as pets is possible.
It won’t be ideal to keep pandas as pets because of the vulnerable nature of the giant pandas and their habitat requirement.
Why Can’t Pandas Be Your Pets?
A pet is an animal that you raise in your home. You take care of the pets and feed them. When you buy a pet from the market, you consider your budget and the relevant needs of the pet. When it comes to managing the life activities of the panda, it would be hard for you! Pandas would need a lot of bamboo; thus, keeping them as pets would be hard.
Pandas have sharp claws, which won’t be suitable for the home. They can even damage your home. There are also fewer Pandas worldwide, so it’s best for authorities to take good care of them. China owns the Pandas, but the government allows renting Pandas to zoos. However, renting could be up to $ 1 million a year; the country would need to sign a contract. There could also be terms for the contract; thus, it would be super expensive!
Pandas appear cute and cuddly. People adore them and would love to keep them as pets. However, the fact is that the claws of the Pandas would be sharp, and thus, it won’t be ideal to consider the animal as pets! They also have a sharp bite, and thus, it doesn’t make sense to consider their pets.
Would It Be Okay to Keep A Pet Panda?
Even if you want to, keeping a pet panda is not okay. Keeping a pet panda would be illegal for you!
It’s also vital to understand that dealing with a giant panda won’t be easy. The natural habitat requirements of a panda won’t be available in the comfort of a home. No matter who tries, it’s hard to provide a habitat suitable for the well-being of pandas.
Pandas rely heavily on bamboo for nourishment; thus, it would be compulsory to provide them with bamboo! With such large consumption of bamboo, you would need a forest to take care of the giant panda.
They have sharp claws so that they can damage the house of the pet owners. It won’t be easy to clean up after them. Keeping a pet panda is challenging; right now, it’s not legally acceptable to keep pandas as pets!
However, Jackie Chan adopted two pet pandas in 2009, paying them one million yuan in donations. He also became the panda ambassador.
FAQs
There could be many questions on your mind regarding the beautiful pandas. It’s vital to note that the information here is mostly on the giant pandas.
Could Pandas Be Safe as Pets?
No, pandas won’t be safe as pets because they are wild animals. Despite the cuddly look, they have sharp claws. They can damage the house with their claws. They need natural habitats, bamboo, and a lot more! It would be challenging. Plus, there are only up to 2000 pandas left in the world, and with much less quantity, it’s vital to provide them the attention and care they deserve. It won’t be possible if you keep them as pets.
What is the Average Lifespan of Pandas?
According to World Wild Life, the average life span of pandas could be 14 years to 20 years. A panda can leave its mother at the age of eighteen months. And that’s also the time when a mother panda conceives!
Can You Buy a Giant Panda and Keep it as a Pet?
You can’t buy a giant panda to keep as a pet. The Chinese government owns them. However, it’s important to note that Jackie Chan had two giant pandas. He saved them from the Sichuan earthquake, adopted them by paying one million yuan, and became the panda ambassador.
Can I Buy a Panda as a Pet?
No, you can’t buy a panda as a pet. The government of China owns the Pandas, and zoos from other countries can rent them, but it’s expensive, and they also need to follow the contracts! You must be aware of the rules and regulations regarding pandas. In simple words, you can’t have pets like pandas. But you can look into other animals and see if you find an interesting pet suitable for your house!
What Animals Would Be Suitable as Pets?
Now that you may not want a panda as a pet, as you can’t have it, reconsider your options. You can consider dogs, cats, birds, and a lot more. It depends on your personal preference. You have to see what options are available in your country. When you find the options, you can decide what animal you can take care of the most and provide the comfort and care it deserves.
Can You Keep Pandas in the House?
Keeping the pandas in the house won’t be possible or ideal. The pandas would need a natural habitat and rely on bamboo for nourishment. You won’t be able to provide the natural living conditions in the comfort of your home! It’s vital to understand the nature of the animals so that you would know whether they could be suitable as a pet or not.
Do Pandas Like to be Alone?
Yes, pandas prefer to be alone. They would love their time in the wild. They are wild creatures and are not suitable as a pet. Because of their nature, they prefer staying alone except when mating. In simple words, you can say that Pandas enjoy their time alone.
Would Pandas be Good Pets?
No, you can’t have pandas as pets. Even if you do, they won’t be ideal as pets for you. The cuddly and cute pandas may give you the impression that it’s harmless, but they could be dangerous and may attack you with their sharp claws. So, if you understand the nature of pandas, you would understand that they won’t be ideal pets.
What Food Can You give pandas if They Are Pets?
Pandas can’t be your pets. They need bamboo in large quantities daily, and you won’t be able to provide it in the comfort of your home. Thus, it won’t be ideal for keeping a pet panda.
Are There Fewer Pandas in The World?
Yes, there are 1864 pandas in the wild. The government of China owns pandas. So, because of such less quantity, they are vulnerable, and you can’t keep them as pets. The pandas’ nature and behavior won’t make them ideal as home pets.
What Happens if You Keep Pandas as Pets?
You can’t have pet pandas. But, if you do, you would need to provide a large space for their stay that resemble the natural habitat. You would need to feed bamboo in large quantities, which means there must be a forest of bamboo that you can access and gather food. Also, you won’t be able to keep the pandas in your home as they have sharp claws; thus, they would damage your house and its things.
Final Words
You would adore and love the Pandas. The black and white pandas are famous around the world. You have been seeing them since you were a child. Now that you are an adult, you may want to keep a pet! A giant panda may come to your mind.
Interestingly, you can’t keep a giant panda as a pet. It won’t be feasible. It won’t be possible for you to feed them because of their large nutritional requirement, and they are dangerous because of their sharp claws and teeth. It would also be interesting for you to note that the government of China owns the Pandas; even if you want, you can’t have them as pets in your home.
The following references were helpful:
https://petkeen.com/do-pandas-make-great-pets/
https://animalhow.com/pandas-pet/
