U07W1 Two Kinds of Bears

Two Kinds of Bears

Black bears and giant pandas are both bears. They are alike in many ways. They have differences too. The bears have different homes. Each home is just right for them. Giant pandas live in China. Black bears live in North America.

Both bears have thick fur. Giant pandas have black-and- white fur. Black bears have black or brown fur. Giant pandas have black circles around their eyes. Some black bears have light brown noses.

Giant pandas eat bamboo. They have to eat a lot of it. They can eat over 30 pounds a day! Giant pandas use their paws for eating. Their thumbs help them grab their food. A giant panda uses its thumb to grab the bamboo.

Black bears eat many things. They hunt for nuts, bark, berries, and fish. Black bears like to eat honey.

Giant pandas have food all year. But black bears don't always have food in winter. It's too cold. So they snuggle in their dens. They sleep until spring. Then it is warm and there is food. There is bamboo all year round for pandas. There is not much food for black bears in winter.