Pandas eat up to 38kg (84 lbs) of bamboo every single day!
Giant pandas have one of the most specialized diets in the animal kingdom. Despite being classified as carnivores (their digestive system is designed for meat), pandas have evolved to eat almost exclusively bamboo. This remarkable dietary shift requires them to consume massive quantities of this low-nutrient plant.
Bamboo is incredibly low in nutrients and difficult to digest. While pandas have a carnivore's digestive system (short intestines designed for meat), they've adapted to process bamboo. However, they can only digest about 17% of the bamboo they eat! This means they need to consume enormous quantities to get enough energy.
Pandas aren't picky eaters when it comes to bamboo species - they'll munch on over 20 different types! However, they do have preferences:
Pandas are surprisingly efficient eaters despite their bulky appearance. They sit upright while eating, using their front paws to hold bamboo stalks. Their strong jaw muscles and flat molars are perfectly adapted for crushing tough bamboo stems.
They eat different parts of the bamboo plant depending on the season:
Because bamboo provides so little energy, pandas have adapted their lifestyle to conserve energy. When they're not eating, they're usually sleeping or resting. They move slowly and deliberately, avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure. This is why pandas spend up to 14 hours a day eating - they need every calorie they can get!