Giant Panda Resting Against Tree Key Ring

This image shows a giant panda grazing on bamboo. Much of what giant pandas consume is passed as waste due to their carnivore-like digestive system. To make up for the inefficient digestion, pandas need to consume a large amount of food� 20 to 40 pounds of bamboo each day�to get all their nutrients. In order to obtain this much food pandas must spend 10 to 16 hours a day foraging and eating. | "Smithsonian" and the Smithsonian logo are registered trademarks owned by Smithsonian Institution.