Why is the giant panda black and white?

Abstract

Lay Summary We use comparative information on carnivores and bear subspecies to investigate coloration of the giant panda. We find that white fur on the body is for matching white snowy backgrounds, black fur on legs is for camouflage in shade, but that markings on the face are for communication to other pandas or to would-be predators. The giant panda’s extrordinary pelage coloration has several different functions.