Are Pandas Really Bears? Coloring Sheet

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Learning about Are Pandas Really Bears? is made possible by: Make math simple and effective with CTCMath for grades k-12. Connect what we see in nature with evidence for a Creator with The Science Dilemma.

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Are Pandas Really Bears?

Have you ever wondered if a panda is truly a bear? At first glance, the panda’s black-and-white fur, bamboo-eating habits, and gentle appearance might make it seem quite different from other bears. But when we look closer at the details, we discover that pandas are indeed part of the bear family. And their story has much to teach us about God’s creativity and how we depend on Him.

Are Pandas True Bears?

Yes—pandas are true bears!

They belong to the bear family, Ursidae, which also includes polar bears, black bears, brown bears, and more. For a long time, scientists weren’t sure if pandas were bears because they look and act differently. But by studying their DNA—the “instructions” God wrote inside every living cell—scientists discovered clear similarities to other bears.

Pandas have a special feature that helps them hold bamboo: a sesamoid bone in their wrist that acts like a thumb. Watching them use it almost looks like they have six fingers!

Psalm 104:24 reminds us,

“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”

God’s wisdom is seen in the panda’s unique design, just as it is in every creature.

Do Pandas Only Eat Bamboo?

Pandas are famous for their bamboo diet. In fact, about 99% of what they eat is bamboo! They munch on bamboo for up to 14 hours a day and can eat around 40 pounds daily.

Even though this might make pandas seem very different from other bears, many bears eat mostly plants. Black bears, for example, fill much of their diet with berries, grasses, and roots. So while pandas are extreme in their bamboo eating, they’re not entirely unlike other bear species.

God gave pandas just the right tools to eat tough bamboo:

• Wide, strong jaws for chewing
• Flat molars to crush stalks
• A special lining in their throat to protect from splinters

Once again, we see His thoughtful care in how He equips creatures for their daily needs.

Why Are Panda Babies So Tiny and Pink?

One of the most surprising things about pandas is their babies. Panda cubs are born very tiny—about the size of a stick of butter! They weigh only 3–5 ounces, are pink, nearly hairless, and cannot move or see.

Compared to other bear cubs, panda babies spend much less time growing inside their mothers before birth. Panda cubs are very dependent when they arrive. For weeks, their eyes remain closed, and they rely completely on their mother for warmth, milk, and protection.

This kind of animal baby is called altricial—born helpless and in need of care.

It’s a beautiful reminder of our need to depend on God.

How Can We Practice Depending on God?

As we grow older, we learn new skills and become more independent from our parents. But spiritually, the opposite should happen. The more we grow, the more dependent we should become on God.

Proverbs 3:5–6 says:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.”

Like a panda cub trusting its mother, we can trust God’s wisdom and strength. When we cannot see the way ahead, He promises to guide and support us. Isaiah 41:10 offers this encouragement:

“So don’t worry, because I am with you.
Don’t be afraid, because I am your God.
I will make you strong and will help you;
I will support you with my right hand that saves you.”

Depending on God is not weakness—it’s strength. Just as panda cubs thrive under their mother’s care, we thrive when we rest in God’s protection.