The giant panda's black and white markings are unique in the animal kingdom so the reason for this particular color pattern has remained mysterious. The giant panda's distinctive black and white coloring has long fascinated researchers and panda enthusiasts alike. But why did pandas evolve to have this unique coloration pattern? In this in-depth article, we'll explore the leading theories behind the evolutionary origins of the panda's black and white fur.
Theories on panda coloration There are several main theories that aim to. As you may recall, Caro and his colleagues are the people who have evidence that zebra stripes evolved to ward off biting flies. In the new paper, the authors first describe the panda's color pattern in appealing language, and then lay out the hypotheses that have been advanced to explain that pattern.
The same scientists who discovered why zebras have black and white stripes also figured out why giant pandas evolved to have fur colored in a similar way. With its trademark patches of black and white fur, there's no mistaking the giant panda for any other bear. Now scientists have a better idea of why pandas have this distinctive pattern, and it could all come down to the lengths the poor old animal has to go to just to get enough to eat.
Colouration. Quantitative colour and pattern analysis (QCPA) was used to investigate the giant panda coloration in its natural habitat. We studied how closely the black.
The panda's white-and-black coloring didn't appear to be involved in temperature regulation or disruptive coloration, a type of camouflage in which an animal's markings don't coincide with the. The functions of a panda's coloration. (Click to view larger) Credit: Ricky Patel/UC Davis This enabled the team to compare different regions of fur across the giant panda's body to the dark and light coloring of 195 other carnivore species and 39 bear subspecies, to which it's related.
Most often, animals and their colors or patterns make sense - there's not much mystery behind why an Arctic fox is white. But where does the beloved giant panda fit into this scheme? Aside. The giant panda's distinct coloring is loved by wildlife enthusiasts, but researchers have never had a satisfactory explanation as to what made their coloring pattern so unique.