On the outside, a giant panda might resemble a vegetarian, and on the inside, it definitely resembles a carnivore. According to a genetic analysis of one hundred and twenty one panda poop samples, the microbes that live inside panda's guts are optimized for meat digestion.

This is regardless of the fact that giant pandas have been constantly consuming bamboo for the past 7 million years as these bamboo plants has been the animals' staple food for at least two years.

Like Us on Facebook

Published on Tuesday in the mBio journal, the findings may not augur well with the endangered species. In the central and northern China, approximately 1600 giant pandas exist. The authors of the study wrote that the peculiar characteristics of panda gut might put the animal at high risk of extinction.

According to scientists, microbes present in guts play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the panda as they help in digestion of food of their hosts. These bacteria also come in handy in synthesizing or extracting the needed nutrients.

In theory, microbes present in the animals' guts ought to be pretty much busy. This is because pandas normally eat as much as twenty eight pounds of bamboo every day. This diet requires as much as fourteen hours of munching. Once the diet reaches the animals' intestines, it is expected that digestive enzymes ought to get busy and digest all the fiber, according to LA Times.

In one way or another, giant pandas have managed to adapt to their abnormal vegetarian eating habits. These animals have powerful teeth and jaws that aid in breaking down copious cellulose amounts. This is according to the study, as per repors by Capital OTC.

The research also found out that another reason for the extinction of pandas is because of their notorious poor breeding patterns. Without the microbiome, biology, or anatomy to effortlessly digest their food, it is even a wonder that these animals have survived for this long. 

TagsPanda, panda eating habits, scientists study panda eating habits, panda going extinct, panda study, study panda, panda news, panda updates