Pandas don't eat oats

They were handed a bum deal (Matron!) by Mother Nature

Giant pandas have an extremely strict energy budget. They travel little and are usually foraging when they do move. Giant pandas can spend 10-12 hours a day feeding. Bamboo, the main source of pandas' diet (over 99%) is a very poor nutritional source but present all year round. Only about 17% of the nutrients found in the leaves and stalks are extracted. These bears make a trade-off to have a plentiful, easily obtained food source but with low nutritional value. Giant pandas are well-known for their upright feeding position which leaves their forelegs free to handle the bamboo stalks. This species has several special characteristics related to eating bamboo. The extra digit on the panda's hand helps the panda in tearing the bamboo. This adaptation also allows increased dexterity while handling bamboo. The stomach walls are extremely muscular to help digest the woody diet; and the gut is covered with a thick layer of mucus to protect against splinters (Ward and Kynaston, 1995; Malius, 2001; Massicot, 2001).

Posted By: Old Git on November 22nd 2006 at 13:47:22

Message Thread

Good post off the Pink Un .... (NCFC) - meeky, Nov 22, 13:14:51
- Bet he's the life and soul of any party... (NCFC) - Fierce Panda, Nov 22, 13:36:56
  - Bloody right! (NCFC) - Old Git, Nov 22, 13:38:02
- Crikey that's a depressing read (NCFC) - Old Git, Nov 22, 13:32:49
  - Depressing but some nails have been hit firmly on the head. (n/m) (NCFC) - The Duke of Norfolk, Nov 22, 13:40:27
- i dont think so............. (NCFC) - grays, Nov 22, 13:21:45
  - Why is everyone suddenly saying Safri is unsettled? (NCFC) - Clare, Nov 22, 13:32:28
    - No, it's just speculation arising from (NCFC) - Old Git, Nov 22, 13:39:45
  - I don't think "I don't think so"... (NCFC) - slater, Nov 22, 13:27:56
    - alternatively (NCFC) - Dave in France, Nov 22, 13:31:54
      - Oooh look there in the sky above the barclay (NCFC) - slater, Nov 22, 13:37:38
        
        I don't think he meant it (n/m) (NCFC) - Old Git, Nov 22, 13:40:09
        
        How do you know OG?.. (NCFC) - Fierce Panda, Nov 22, 13:40:43
        
        You're in a playful mood today Panda. (NCFC) - Arizona Bay, Nov 22, 13:44:10
        
        Pandas don't eat oats (NCFC) - Old Git, Nov 22, 13:47:22
        
        I like flap jacks though (n/m) (NCFC) - Fierce Panda, Nov 22, 13:54:23
        
        Who doesn't? (n/m) (NCFC) - Arizona Bay, Nov 22, 14:06:49
        
        me (n/m) (NCFC) - blindasabat, Nov 22, 14:14:32
        
        Well, that's your lookout. (n/m) (NCFC) - Arizona Bay, Nov 22, 14:30:13
        
        Cos if he meant it (NCFC) - Old Git, Nov 22, 13:43:23
  - i liked this bit (NCFC) - Dave in France, Nov 22, 13:24:46
  - My opinion.. (NCFC) - snowman, Nov 22, 13:24:41
    - He has a point (n/m) (NCFC) - Fierce Panda, Nov 22, 13:26:10
      - Thank you FP. (NCFC) - snowman, Nov 22, 13:28:23
        
        I am a nice chap Mr S (me son still asks after you as your name is so distinctive).. (NCFC) - Fierce Panda, Nov 22, 13:33:23
        
        Glad i made a good impression. (NCFC) - snowman, Nov 22, 13:43:27
        
        Do you mean OG or is there another one?.. (NCFC) - Fierce Panda, Nov 22, 13:52:44
        
        I know you were... (NCFC) - snowman, Nov 22, 13:59:05
        
        Gosh... (NCFC) - Fierce Panda, Nov 22, 14:01:22

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