The Giant Panda is a black and white bear that occupies many characteristics from other bears, along with its own. One unique characteristic is their “thumb” is they most fascinating. For instance, “Pandas grasp the bamboo between their fingers and an "extra thumb." This thumb, which is a bone covered by a fleshy pad, grows from the wrist of each forepaw. Pandas also have true thumbs, which they use as fingers.”(Swaisgood, Ronald. "Panda." World Book Student, World Book, 2017, www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar412700. Accessed 22 Nov. 2017.). Nonetheless, pandas also have their other five fingers, …show more content…
Pandas have the ability to turn bamboo into food energy, however this is not easy. For example, “Unlike most plant-eating animals, pandas have inefficient digestive systems that cannot easily change plants into food energy. As a result, pandas must eat large quantities of bamboo. For example, giant pandas eat as much as 85 pounds (39 kilograms) of bamboo shoots per day.” (Swaisgood, Ronald. "Panda." World Book Student, World Book, 2017, www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar412700. Accessed 22 Nov. 2017.). Despite the fact that a panda’s diet is based on bamboo they cannot survive on merely bamboo. This means that inorder to survive on only bamboo they must eat a substantial amount. Since panda’s have an inefficent digestive system they cannot survive on only bamboo. For instance, “Ninety-nine percent of their diet consists of bamboo. They also eat other plants and meat that they can scavenge and will eat a variety of foods in captivity.”(Pandas. By: Clamon, Laura A., Salem Press Encyclopedia of Science, 2016). This helps panda’s digestive system and allows them to get enough nutrition. Nonetheless, most of a panda’s diet is based on