Pandas are large, bear-like mammals that are native to the mountain ranges of central China. They are best known for their distinctive black and white fur and their playful nature. Pandas belong to the family Ursidae and are classified as a bear species.
The reason pandas primarily eat bamboo is due to their evolutionary adaptations. Although they’re part of the Carnivora order and have the digestive system similar to that of carnivores, they have evolved to consume primarily plant material—particularly bamboo. This is because, over time, bamboo became abundant in their habitat and offered them a reliable food source.
In fact, bamboo makes up about 99% of a giant panda’s diet. While the bamboo provides pandas with some energy, it is relatively low in nutrients; therefore, pandas must eat large quantities—up to 40 pounds a day—to meet their nutritional needs. Their strong jaws and flat molars are perfectly adapted for crushing the tough, fibrous stems of bamboo.
Unfortunately, the dependence on bamboo also puts pandas at risk. Habitat destruction and climate change threaten the bamboo forests they rely on for food. Conservation efforts are critical to ensuring that these beloved creatures can continue to thrive in the wild.