From Penguins to Pandas - the Conservation Game

From Penguins to Pandas - the conservation game

Chinese Animal Fact Files

China’s Wildlife

China is home to an amazing number of species. It is the third* largest country in the world and has a wide range of habitats - high mountains, vast plains, dry deserts, many different forests and grasslands.

China is also home to the third largest river in the world (the Yangtze) and the highest mountain (Mount Everest) lies on its border with Nepal.

This pack includes quick fact files on some Chinese animals.

Please note

 not all these animals are at Edinburgh Zoo or Highland Wildlife Park - those which are in the collection (as at May 2014) are clearly marked and further information can be found from Edinburgh Zoo or Highland Wildlife Park websites

 the fact files list the distribution of the species in China- some species may be found in other countries

 standard measurements are given for some species; length is head and body length without tail; tail length is given where appropriate.

*China is the third largest country in the world if calculated by land area. It comes 4th, after the USA, if land and sea areas are included. Russia is the largest country, Canada is second.

Asian elephant

Elephas maximus

Distribution south Yunnan

Habitat mixed forests and grasslands

Diet leaves and fruits

Breeding gestation 615-668 days litter size 1

Lifespan 65-70 years

Size Length 5.5–6.4m Tail length 1.2-1.5m Height male 3.2m female 2.5m Weight male 4,160kg female 2,720kg

IUCN Red List Status Endangered Main threats habitat loss over-hunting for ivory tusks persecution by farmers for raiding crops

Asiatic golden cat

Pardofelis temminckii

Distribution central and south east China

Habitat mixed forests, tropical forests and grasslands

Diet small mammals including small deer, birds and lizards

Breeding gestation 85-95 days litter size 2-3

Lifespan 12-15 years

Size Length 75-105cm Tail length 40-56cm Weight 9-16kg

IUCN Red List Status Near Threatened Main threat habitat loss

Bactrian camel

Camelus bactrianus

Distribution Taklamakan and Gobi deserts

Habitat desert

Diet desert plants and leaves of thorn trees and bushes.

Breeding gestation 400 days litter size 1-2

Lifespan 30 years

Size - Length 3.2–3.5m Height 1.6-1.8m Weight 450-680kg

IUCN Red List Status Critically Endangered Main threats habitat loss over-hunting hybridisation with domestic camels

Chinese pangolin

Manis pentadactyla

Distribution throughout south east China and Taiwan

Habitat tropical and coniferous forests

Diet ants and termites

Breeding gestation 120-150 days litter size 1

Lifespan 10-12 years

Size Length 42-92cm Tail length 28-35cm Weight 2.4-7kg

IUCN Red List Status Endangered Main threat over-hunting for food and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Giant panda

Ailuropoda melanoleuca

Distribution Sichuan, Gansu and Shanxi

Habitat mountain bamboo forests

Diet 99% of diet is bamboo but they will also eat fruits and small mammals

Breeding gestation 112-163 days1 litter size 1-22

1there can be delayed implantation 2but when 2 cubs are born, the mother will only rear the stronger cub

Lifespan 25-30 years

Size Length 150-180cm Tail length 12-15cm Weight 85-125kg

IUCN Red List Status Endangered Main threat habitat loss

Golden snub-nosed monkey

Rhinopithecus roxellana

Distribution western–central China

Habitat mixed forests

Diet leaves, bark, fruits and insects

Breeding gestation 180-190 days litter size 1

Lifespan 20-25 years

Size Length 52-78cm Tail length 57-80cm Weight male 15-17kg female 6.5-10kg

IUCN Red List Status Endangered Main threat habitat loss over-hunting for Traditional Chinese Medicine

Large eared pika

Ochotona macrotis

Distribution high mountain ranges across west China

Habitat high rocky landscapes

Diet grasses, leaves, twigs, mosses, and lichens

Breeding gestation 30 days litter size 1-4

Lifespan 1-3 years

Size Length 15-20cm Weight 142-190g

IUCN Red List Status Least concern

Main threat No known threats

Moon bear

Ursus thibetanus

Distribution central, south and north east China

Habitat mixed forests

Diet berries, buds, nuts, acorns, invertebrates and small vertebrates

Breeding gestation 200-240 days litter size 1-2

Lifespan 25 years

Size Length 1.2-1.9m Tail length 5-16cm Weight male 60-200kg female 40-140kg

IUCN Red List Status Vulnerable Main threat habitat loss over-hunting for Traditional Chinese Medicine

Pallas cat

Otocolobus manul

Distribution central, north and west China

Habitat low mountains, hilly, rocky deserts

Diet small rodents, birds, hares and voles

Breeding gestation 65-70 days litter size 3-6

Lifespan 8-10 years

Size Length 45-65cm Tail length 21-35cm Weight 2.3-4.5kg

IUCN Red List Status Near Threatened Main threat over-hunting for fur habitat loss

Pere David’s deer

Elaphurus davidianus

Distribution formerly in north east China

Habitat formerly in lowland grasslands

Diet grass, reeds, leaves

Breeding gestation 270-300 days litter size 1 (rarely 2)

Lifespan 18 years

Size Length 150-200cm Tail length 50cm Weight 150-200kg

IUCN Red List Status Extinct in the wild Some reintroductions Main threat over-hunting

Przewalski’s horse

Equus ferus przewalskii

Distribution formerly north west China

Habitat formerly semi-desert

Diet grass

Breeding gestation 330-360 days litter size 1

Lifespan 20-25 years

Size Length 180-280cm Tail length 38-60cm Height 120-146cm Weight 200-350kg

IUCN Red List Status Not Evaluated - Extinct in China

(It was extinct in the wild but has been reintroduced to Mongolia and China) Main threat spread of domestic forms and interbreeding

Pygmy slow loris

Nycticebus pygmaeus

Distribution south east Yunnan

Habitat tropical rainforest

Diet fruits, insects, tree sap and nectar, possibly small vertebrates.

Breeding gestation 190 days litter size 1

Lifespan 20 years

Size Length 21-26cm Tail length 1cm Weight 250-800g

IUCN Red List Status Vulnerable Main threat habitat loss over-hunting for Traditional Chinese Medicine

Red panda

Ailurus fulgens

Distribution central and south west China

Habitat mixed forests; bamboo forests

Diet small vertebrates, eggs, berries and seeds

Breeding gestation 120-150 days litter size 1-4

Lifespan 10-12 years

Size Length 51-73cm Tail length 37-48cm Weight 2.5-5kg

IUCN Red List Status Vulnerable Main threat habitat loss

Siberian musk deer

Moschus moschiferus

Distribution north east and north west China

Habitat coniferous forests

Diet leaves, herbs and lichen

Breeding gestation 180 days litter size 1-3

Lifespan 20 years

Size Length 65–90cm Tail length 4-6cm Weight 8-12kg

IUCN Red List Status Vulnerable Main threat over-hunting for musk gland to make genuine musk perfume

Snow leopard

Panthera uncia

Distribution Himalayan mountains and Tibetan plateau

Habitat mountains

Diet wild sheep, goats, pikas, hares and birds

Breeding gestation 90-100 days litter size 2-3

Lifespan 15-20 years

Size Length 110-130cm Tail length 80-100cm Weight male 45-55kg female 35-40kg

IUCN Red List Status Endangered Main threat over-hunting for Traditional Chinese Medicines persecution by farmers for killing livestock

Sun bear

Helarctos malayanus

Distribution Sichuan, north west Yunnan and south east Xizang

Habitat tropical rainforest

Diet insects, small mammals, birds, fruits and honey

Breeding- gestation 95-96 days litter size 1-2

Lifespan 25-30 years

Size Length 100-140cm Tail length 3-7cm Weight 25-65kg

IUCN Red List Status Globally - Vulnerable but may be extinct in China Main threat habitat loss over-hunting for Traditional Chinese Medicine

Takin

Budorcas taxicolor

Distribution central south China

Habitat alpine meadows, valleys and forests

Diet grasses, bamboo shoots, leaves

Breeding gestation 200-220 days litter size 1

Lifespan 16-18 years

Size Length 170-220cm Tail length 10-21cm Height 107-140cm Weight 250-600kg

IUCN Red List Status Vulnerable Main threat over-hunting habitat loss

Tiger

Panthera tigris

Distribution central and south east China; north east China border with Amur

Habitat tropical rainforests, mixed forests

Diet wild boar, deer and other small to medium sized mammals

Breeding gestation 90-105 days litter size 1-6

Lifespan 15-20 years

Size Length 140-280cm Tail length 91-110cm Weight 90-306kg

IUCN Red List Status Critically Endangered

[3 subspecies of tigers come from China: the South China tiger, Indochinese tiger and the Amur tiger. The South China tiger is listed as Critically Endangered but is possibly extinct; the Indochinese and Amur are listed as Endangered.] Main threats habitat loss over-hunting for Traditional Chinese Medicine

White handed gibbon

Hylobates lar

Distribution south west Yunnan

Habitat tropical rainforests

Diet mostly fruits, some insects

Breeding gestation 210-240 days litter size 1

Lifespan 25-30 years

Size Length 45-60cm Weight 3.9-7kg

IUCN Red List Status Endangered

Main threat habitat loss

Yangzte river dolphin

Lipotes vexillifer

Distribution middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze

Habitat fresh water

Diet fish

Breeding gestation 300 days litter size 1

Lifespan 22-25 years

Size Length male 2.2m female 2.5m Weight male 135-160kg female 240kg

IUCN Red List Status Critically Endangered

Main threat pollution

Long eared owl

Asio otus

Distribution east central China

Habitat coniferous forest

Diet small mammals and birds

Breeding incubation 26-28 days eggs 5-7

Lifespan 27 years

Size Height 35-38cm

IUCN Red List Status Least Concern

Main threat habitat loss

(The long eared owl is not considered threatened globally as there is an abundant population across the world but in China there is just an isolated population.)

Steller’s sea eagle

Haliaeetus pelagicus

Distribution north east China, border with Russia

Habitat coastal cliffs, river and lakeside forests

Diet fish, sea birds and small to medium sized mammals

Breeding incubation 39-45 days eggs 1-3

Lifespan 20 years

Size Length 85-94cm (wingspan 1.9-2.5m) Weight male 6kg female 9kg

IUCN Red List Status Vulnerable Main threat pollution habitat loss

White naped crane

Grus vipio

Distribution wetlands around Yellow and Yangtze rivers

Habitat wetlands, grassy marshes, meadows and reed beds

Diet insects, frogs, seeds and roots

Breeding incubation 30 days eggs 1-2

Lifespan 30-40 years

Size Height 125cm

IUCN Red List Status Vulnerable Main threat pollution habitat loss

Chinese alligator

Alligator sinensis

Distribution Yangtze river

Habitat fresh water

Diet snails, mussels, fish, water birds and small mammals

Breeding incubation 70 days eggs 10-50

Lifespan 50–60 years

Size Length 2m Weight 40kg

IUCN Red List Status Critically Endangered

Main threat pollution habitat loss

Chinese cobra

Naja atra

Distribution south east China and Taiwan

Habitat forests and grasslands

Diet small mammals, frogs and other snakes

Breeding incubation 70 days eggs 6-23

Lifespan 20 years

Size Length 1.2-1.5m

IUCN Red List Status Not Evaluated

Main threat habitat loss hunting for food and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese tree frog

Hyla chinensis

Distribution central and eastern China

Habitat mixed forests

Diet insects

Breeding incubation 5-7 days eggs 1000-3000

Lifespan 5-10 years

Size Length 2.5-3.5cm

IUCN Red List Status Least Concern

Main threat habitat loss

Giant salamander

Andrias davidianus

Distribution Yellow and Yangtze rivers

Habitat fresh water

Diet insects, frogs and fish

Breeding incubation 84-105 days eggs 400-500

Lifespan 50 years

Size Length 1.8m

IUCN Red List Status Critically Endangered

Main threat pollution over-hunting for food

Chinese sturgeon

Acipenser sinensis

Distribution Yangtze river

Habitat salt water but return to fresh water rivers to breed

Diet aquatic insects

Breeding incubation 4-6 days eggs 600,000-1,000,000

Lifespan 50-60 years

Size Length 5m Weight 450kg

IUCN Red List Status Critically Endangered Main threat pollution habitat loss over-hunting for caviar

Grass carp

Ctenopharyngodon idella

Distribution throughout China

Habitat freshwater—lakes, ponds, pools and backwaters of large rivers

Diet aquatic weeds

Breeding incubation 20-40 hours eggs ~500,000

Lifespan 5-9 years

Size Length up to 1.2m Weight up to 18kg

IUCN Red List Status Globally secure but rare in the native range of the Amur basin Main threat hunted for food

Apollo butterfly

Parnassius apollo

Distribution only in Xinjiang

Habitat meadows in mountain areas with rocky outcrops

Diet flowering plants (caterpillars require stonecrop and houseleek which are plants that grow on rocky outcrops)

Breeding incubation over-winter* eggs approx. 150

*the female butterfly lays about 150 ova, the egg develops over winter and hatches early spring.

Lifespan 20–30 days for adult butterfly

Size Length 7-8.4cm

IUCN Red List Status Vulnerable Main threat habitat loss

Chinese bird spider

Haplopelma huwenum

Distribution southern China

Habitat tropical rainforests

Diet insects and small mammals

Breeding incubation 6-8 weeks eggs unknown between 50-2000

Lifespan 20–40 years

Size Length 20cm

IUCN Red List Status Not Evaluated Main threat habitat loss

Silkworm moth

Bombyx mori

Distribution formerly south east and central China

Habitat tropical forests

Diet mulberry leaves

Breeding incubation 10-14 days eggs 200-500

Lifespan 4-6 days for adult moth

Size Length 3-5cm

IUCN Red List Status Not Evaluated Extinct in the wild

Main threat over-harvested for production of silk

(The Bombyx mori is a moth and the ‘silkworm’ is the common name given to the larvae or caterpillar. The caterpillar secretes silk to make a cocoon.)

Please also see the following resource in this pack:

The Giant Panda

To find out more about ‘From Penguins to Pandas’ and ‘Giants’ outreach programmes, contact: Sandie Robb, Senior Education Officer, RZSS—[email protected]

Further Information and resources

Websites:

Royal Zoological Society of Scotland http://www.rzss.org.uk/conservation-programmes/projects/current-projects/china-uk-giant-panda- partnership

Edinburgh Zoo Panda Cam http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams/panda-cam/?camID=2457

China Wildlife Conservation Association http://en.cwca.org.cn/article/index.asp

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding www.panda.org.cn

Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools http://www.strath.ac.uk/ciss

Giant Panda Zoo http://www.giantpandazoo.com

Scotland China Education Network http://www.scen.info/

Arkive http://www.arkive.org

International Union for Conservation of Nature http://www.iucnredlist.org/

Books:

Mengqi, Zhou. Panda-Back from the Brink. Sichuan Fine Arts Publishing, 2010

Smith, Andrew & Xie, Yan. A Guide to Mammals of China. Princeton University Press, 2008

Walters, Martin. Chinese Wildlife. Bradt Travel Guides, 2008

Stamp Information Asian elephant

Thailand 8b, 1991 - The Asian Elephant

Asiatic golden cat

Malaysia 50sen, 2008 - Nocturnal stamps

Bactrian camel

Mongolia 30m, 1978 - Bactrian Camels

Chinese pangolin

Hong Kong $1, 1982 - Wild Animals

Giant panda

China 80f, 2000 - Endangered Fauna

Golden snub nosed monkey

China 2y, 2000 - Endangered Fauna

Pallas cat

Kyrgyzstan 25t, 2008 - Fauna of Asia

Przewalski’s horse

Afghanistan 6a, 1983 - Animals

Red panda

Hungary 40fi, 1977 - Bears Today the red panda is not classed as a bear.

Snow leopard

Pakistan 40p, 1984—Wildlife Protection

Sun bear

Laos 50k, 1994 - The Malay Bear

Tiger

China3y.70, 2000 - Endangered Fauna

White handed gibbon

Laos 6,000k, 2008 - White handed gibbon WWF

Yangtze river dolphin

China 2y.60, 2000 - Endangered Fauna

Long eared owl

Russia 55k, 1990 - Owls

Steller’s sea eagle

Russia 4k, 1982 - International Ornithological Congress

White naped crane

Russia 250r, 1993 - Animals

Chinese alligator

China 5y.40, 2000 - Endangered Fauna

Chinese sturgeon

China 1y.50, 2000 - Endangered Fauna

Apollo butterfly

United Nations 42c, 2009 - Endangered Species 36