Scientists Discover Why Pandas Stick To Bamboo-Exclusive Diet

It is a known fact that pandas love to hop on bamboo leaves and shoots even when it does not supply them with much energy. How do they survive? According to a latest research, pandas expend only 38 per cent of the energy as compared to other mammals of their size.

A team of Chinese researchers studied the energy expenditure of five pandas in captivity and three in the wild. To make an assessment of the amount of energy spend by the pandas, the researchers first injected each panda with “doubly labelled” water.

The doubly labelled water consists of isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen. Over a period of two weeks, the researchers draw blood samples from the pandas to observe the rate at which the isotopes get eliminated from their bodies. The researchers found that captive pandas used only 38 percent of their energy while the wild pandas used only 45 percent of their energy, as compared to other animals of the same size.

In addition to the metabolic rate, the researchers also observed the mechanism by which pandas conserve their energy. They noticed that the pandas did not move much and spent only half of their time in completing any form of physical activity.

The researchers also concluded that pandas have smaller organs, including liver, kidneys and brain. Therefore, much less energy is required for their functioning. The team also measured the thyroid levels of the animal and found that it was 36 per cent to 53 per cent lower than that of other animals of similar size.

The team concluded that resulting lower metabolic rate results in much less dissipation of energy. The complete study results have been published in the journal Science.

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