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The Sea of Bamboo
One of the world's most unique places, The Sea of Bamboo is the largest bamboo forest in the world. Find out more below!
Plant Cards
There's not just one type of Bamboo that grows in these forests. Learn about six different types below!
Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)
Moso Bamboo is one of the largest and most important species of bamboo in China. It can grow up to 28 meters tall and is widely used for timber, paper, and bamboo products. Moso Bamboo is also a favorite food source for giant pandas.
Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra)
Black Bamboo is easily recognized by its dark, almost black canes. It grows up to 7 meters tall and is used ornamentally in gardens. While not a primary food source for pandas, it contributes to the biodiversity of the bamboo forest.
Green-Stripe Bamboo (Phyllostachys glauca)
Green-Stripe Bamboo has distinctive green stripes on its canes and grows up to 10 meters tall. It thrives in the temperate regions of the bamboo forests and adds to the variety of bamboo species available for wildlife.
Umbrella Bamboo is a clumping bamboo that grows up to 5 meters tall. It has thick, lush foliage that provides excellent cover and food for wildlife. This bamboo is often found in the high-altitude regions of the bamboo forests and is favored by red pandas.
Umbrella Bamboo is a clumping bamboo that grows up to 5 meters tall. It has thick, lush foliage that provides excellent cover and food for wildlife. This bamboo is often found in the high-altitude regions of the bamboo forests and is favored by red pandas.
Chinese Dwarf Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex)
Chinese Dwarf Bamboo is a shorter bamboo, growing up to 3 meters tall. It forms dense thickets and is often used for hedges and erosion control. This bamboo is also part of the understorey vegetation in bamboo forests.
Arrow Bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica)
Arrow Bamboo is known for its tall, straight canes and dense foliage. It grows up to 6 meters tall and is commonly found in the habitats of red pandas and giant pandas. This bamboo is used for making arrows, hence its name, and is also a key part of the pandas' diet.
Animal Cards
Learn about the creatures that live in the Bamboo forests. Click on the slide show to start!
Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
Giant Pandas are well-loved for their black-and-white fur and their favorite food, bamboo. They live in the bamboo forests of China and spend most of their day munching on bamboo leaves and stems. Pandas have a special thumb-like bone that helps them hold the bamboo while they eat. They are gentle and often playfully roll around on the ground.
Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)
Red Pandas are small, adorable creatures with reddish-brown fur and long, bushy tails. They live in the cool, bamboo-filled forests of the Himalayas and eat bamboo, fruits, and insects. Red Pandas are great climbers and spend a lot of time in trees, often curled up on branches to sleep.
Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)
Asian Elephants are the gentle giants of the bamboo forests. They have big ears, long trunks, and tusks, and they use their trunks to grab food and water. Elephants love to eat bamboo, along with other plants and fruits. They live in family groups and communicate with each other using low-frequency sounds that humans can’t hear.
Bamboo Rat (Rhizomys sinensis)
Bamboo Rats are small, furry rodents that live in the bamboo forests of Asia. They dig burrows and feed on bamboo roots and shoots. Bamboo Rats are mostly nocturnal, coming out at night to find food. They play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to aerate the soil.
Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
Clouded Leopards have beautiful cloud-like spots on their fur and are excellent climbers. They live in the dense bamboo forests of Southeast Asia and are known for their agility in the trees. These solitary cats hunt for small mammals and birds, using their strong jaws and sharp teeth.
Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur spp.)
Bamboo Lemurs are small primates found in the bamboo forests of Madagascar. They have soft fur and large, bright eyes. These lemurs love to eat bamboo, especially the tender shoots and leaves. They live in family groups and are active during the day, often seen leaping between bamboo stalks.
Bamboo Snake (Pseudoxenodon bambusicola)
The Bamboo Snake is a beautiful, non-venomous snake with bright yellow and green scales. It lives in the bamboo forests of China and Southeast Asia, where it hunts for small rodents and birds. This snake is an excellent climber and often hides among the bamboo stalks.
Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana)
Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys have striking golden fur and blue faces. These playful monkeys live high in the bamboo forests of China, where they swing from trees and play with their friends. They eat bamboo leaves, fruits, and seeds. Living in large groups, they communicate with each other through various calls and gestures.
Building With Bamboo
Find out how the ancient Chinese used bamboo as one of their main building materials. Press the button to start!
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