Wild Earth Integration

Today I have two pieces for you, based on the good ‘ol Giant Panda. The first is a pendant, suitable for any bear lover. The second is a ‘bamboo’ bangle, which I have named a bambangle. (Because I *can*). For more info and prices, click on the pics!

Bambamgles are available in child and adult sizes, based on your preference. Email me with your specifications, as well as your choice in darker or lighter ‘bamboo’!

Of course, no post about pandas is complete with some facts. Here’s your Wild 5: Panda Edition!

• Despite being one of the most recognizable bears (except perhaps Winnie?), pandas are the world’s rarest bear. There are only about 1000 wild pandas left and they are listed as endangered.

• Pandas have a ‘pseudo-thumb’, which is an elongated wrist bone. This helps them grip onto bamboo like nobody’s business. It also helps them give a thumbs up to panda conservation… HEY-O!

• Instead of noshing on meat, fish and berries like their cousins, pandas eat 99% bamboo. That is, except the ones that are on Atkins. But, a panda’s stomach is still built like a carnivore, so they have to eat 20-40 pounds of bamboo a day to get all the nutrients they need.

• Pandas don’t hibernate. Which gives them much more time to be adorable.

• Pandas are vocal, but sound nothing like their bear cousins. Instead of grunting and roaring, pandas are more apt to chirp, bleat and squeal. Here, have a listen.

Keep it wild!

Note: A portion of proceeds from this post will go towards Giant Panda conservation.

Well well well… if it isn’t Monday again.

Today, I thought it would be nice to show you an illustration I’ve been working on for awhile. Ta-dah! As many of you know, I’m a bit of a plasticine fiend, so it’s nice to get to show you these as I finish them.

But what’s Monday without a few facts that you could whip out at a cocktail party. I think it’s high time for a Wild 5 again.

And so I give you, the Wild 5: Bear Edition –

• Never ever try to outrun a bear. It just won’t happen. Although they look big and lumbery, they can run as fast as a horse. So picture them as large, furry, carnassial-toothed horses. *nods*

• Most people know about a few species of bears – the grizzly (like my clay friend), polar bear, black bear and of course, Yogi, are fairly famous. The spectacled bear, Asiatic black bear and sun bear are less famous. But just as awesome. Go Google them, I’ll wait.

• If you ever ate even a small part of a polar bear’s liver (not that you should, just sayin’) – you would most likely die. Like most arctic seals, a polar bear’s liver is insane-o high in retinol (also known as Vitamin A). To put it in perspective your liver should have about 575 IU of Vitamin A per gram. A polar bear has roughly 24,000-35,000 IU per gram. Moral? Please don’t eat polar bears.

• Some bears faced a pretty cruel past. Bear bile farming is one example. Kept in small cages known as ‘crush-cages’, many Asiatic black bears are unable to move or stand for their entire lives, while an IV removes their bile. Needless to say, this is an awful fate for any animal, so efforts are constant to stop bear bile farming in Vietnam and China. If this bothers you as much as it does me, you can pop by here to learn more, or make a donation directly to my site and I’ll send it to the right people.

• A male bear is called a boar, while a female is called a sow. This is not because they are related to pigs. In fact, I actually think if you encounter a male bear, you ought to be calling him ‘Sir’. But that’ just me.

Have a beary good week, all!

(Can you blame me? Really?)