Interesting Giant Stuffed Panda Facts

Luckily for all giant stuffed pandas in the world, they are not restricted to a diet of bamboo. In fact, having no need for food whatsoever, makes having a giant stuffed panda one easy thing to do.The bamboo diet of the giant panda has long been a mystery to experts in the animal world; as to why panda's can mainly eat a restricted diet of bamboo, has never been explained - until now.

A team of both Chinese and international researchers, along with a scientist from Cardiff University, have managed to "sequence the panda gnome" for the first time and as a result, gave them a first time insight into the pandas genetics this information could be used to go a long way in assisting conservation efforts of a species that is critically endangered.Through their genetic research, the team of experts found that pandas do not actually have the genes to completely digest their main source of food - bamboo. Given it has been determined that the panda is a true bear, it means it is a carnivore like all bear species. However, in the case of the panda, it exists almost exclusively on bamboo making it a herbivore.

There is a belief that based on the the panda's genetic make-up, it has microorganisms in its system which allows it to digest bamboo and as is the case, it is not its genetics that enables it to do this. Dietary habits are also based on taste and the results of the panda's gnome discovery showed its T1R1 gene having a mutation, which means it could affect the panda's overall ability to eat meat thus also making it rely on its bamboo diet.In addition to the 'mystery' of an exclusive bamboo diet, the gnome study of pandas also revealed that despite very low reproductive rates, they have all the reproduction genes they need to be able to produce cubs with success. It was also revealed that pandas are at a very low rate when it comes to in-breeding (which could have explained their low reproduction) and as is the case, there is no reason to be pessimistic about the species ongoing survival especially when it comes to producing cubs.The current panda population is estimated to be at less than 3,000 which, according to experts, puts it at a "high rate of extinction."

With the results of this recent genetic study, experts have a much better understanding of the overall biology of the panda making it that much easier to try and control diseases as well as contribute to ongoing conservation efforts.Even if you could feed your giant stuffed panda, why would you want to? After all, it's a much better friend and companion when not having to worry about what to give it to eat. Take your giant stuffed panda for all that it is: a treasured part of the family that gets as much love and attention you can possibly give it.