Pandas, such majestic and lovable creatures that have characteristics that no one would forget. The black and white fur to match the yin and yang, the ability to climb, the powerful sneeze that seemed to went viral shown here. But, have you ever wondered, why do pandas eat bamboo?

I mean, I have wondered for the longest time, as the species is one of my favorite animals. I have actually seen pandas in their native habitats and in various zoos in China, watching them defy normal bear diets by eating the fiber-filled bamboo. But always wondered why they did not eat meat like the rest of the carnivorous bear family. How do they survive on bamboo, which has so little protein to tend to such large bodies of muscle, fat, and fur?

Panda eating bamboo shoot, picture found here

HOW DO PANDAS SURVIVE ON BAMBOO?

Giant pandas are actually no different from any other bears digestive system, as they have the tongue with sharp teeth, wide throat and neck connected to a singular stomach and small intestine. One would typically hypothesize, since panda’s have the same basic digestive system, they should survive on meat and other nutrient-rich food substances. But as Andrew has said, our intuition is lousy, as science helps us find explanation for why the thought is wrong.

Pandas distinguish themselves from other bears through typical adaptation that all animals go through. From living in the high altitudes of forest within China, the pandas are surrounded by mostly one edible resource of bamboo. Through series of mutations, pandas actually digest bamboo similar to herbivores, even with a carnivorous system. Researchers within National Geographic conducted a study, an observational study, looking actually at the gene sequences within the poop of several wild pandas and several captive pandas. The study was observational, because they did not complete anything that would change a variable within the panda’s normal diet. But it was found that pandas, within their digestive track, have special bacteria that help break down the cellulose found within bamboo, and retain most of the calories and nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorous, and calcium.

The black and white anomaly also uses very little energy, with an extremely low metabolism. This may be due to their special bacteria that helps them breakdown more nutrients from the bamboo. According to research conducted through NBC Science, it is due to their levels of thyroid hormones which are the regulators within the digestive tract, slowing their metabolism. Compared to other animals of similar stature, and other bears, pandas expend less that 40 percent in energy, and have smaller organs to sustain the energy use.

Though it is said of how pandas survive on a strict bamboo/vegetarian diet, bamboo still has very little nutrition. According to an article by Sandhya Sekar for Science Magazine, pandas need eat up to 30 pounds of the shoots every day! Going to the bathroom must be a struggle.

Panda using little energy, picture found here

WHY DO PANDAS EAT ALMOST SOLEY BAMBOO?

Pandas eat bamboo for the same reasons we eat in general, to survive. Over time, adaptation calls upon species, as the panda bears were called upon to live in the highlands of China, surrounded by the plentiful bamboo and little prey. Their bodies morphed over time, favoring traits that helped them digest the bamboo better. Bamboo also has a variety of different species, that hold different nutritional levels in different categories, as pandas will shift their focus on certain plants throughout the seasons. But for most of the reason, is due to bamboo species ability to grow up to three feet in just one day, as most of the variety can grow rapidly and replenish its supply.

The magnificent species is slow moving with a smaller snout compared to most other carnivorous bears. Becoming a predator does not suit them in the least, as they are unable to catch most prey. But, as rare as that time comes, pandas will seize the opportunity to eat meat, as according to WWF, about one percent of their diet comes from small rodents.

Bamboo stalks, picture found here

Though my typical pizza order would be a meat lovers pizza, I still respect the slothful vegetarian pandas. They are calm, cool, and sneeze like no other, and for some reason people make platinum songs strictly about them. Though I would never consider being vegetarian myself, I still have the giant panda as my favorite animal.