Unlocking the Mystery: Why Pandas Choose Bamboo Over Their Instincts – Insights from Scientists

In Hong Kong, scientists are uncovering fascinating details about pandas and their love for bamboo. While these cuddly creatures appear to thrive on a plant-based diet, their digestive systems are more like those of carnivores.

Researchers from China believe that the bamboo pandas consume could be affecting their behavior and senses. They spend almost 16 hours each day munching on this tall plant. As they eat, they absorb a special genetic material called microRNA (miRNA) into their bloodstream.

This miRNA impacts how genetic information moves through their bodies, influencing their behavior. Dr. Li Feng, who led the research at China West Normal University, stated that miRNA plays a key role in regulating the genetics of giant pandas.

The study revealed that miRNA affects growth, biological rhythms, behavior, and immune responses in pandas. It also helps regulate their sense of smell and taste, which are closely linked to their feeding habits.

As pandas grow, they become better at selecting the freshest and most nutritious bamboo. This skill is crucial for their adaptation to a plant-centered diet.

The researchers conducted their study on blood samples from six adult pandas and one juvenile. They discovered 57 types of miRNAs likely taken from bamboo. Their findings could help scientists understand how plant-based miRNA affects animals, potentially leading to advances in disease treatment.

Even though pandas mainly eat bamboo, around 1% of their diet can include other plants and even small animals, as noted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Currently, about 1,800 pandas wander in the wild across the mountains of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu in China.

Wild pandas face significant threats from habitat loss and fragmentation. Their reproduction rates are also quite low, making it tough to sustain their population. When they do give birth, the newborns are very delicate.

Fortunately, China has ramped up its conservation efforts, expanding panda reserves from 12 to 67 over the years.