As herbivores, bamboo is the panda's main food source. However, not all bamboo is suitable for the panda's digestive system. Next, I will introduce to you several bamboos that pandas often eat and their characteristics.
1️⃣Fargesia spathacea Franch.
Fargesia spathacea Franch. is one of the favorite foods of pandas and is mainly distributed in Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou regions of China. This kind of bamboo grows quickly, is easy to propagate, and is highly adaptable. Its bamboo shoots and leaves are panda delicacies. The fiber of Fargesia spathacea Franch. is thicker and rich in nutrients, which helps the panda's digestion and absorption.
2️⃣Phyllostachys glauca McClure
Phyllostachys glauca McClure is distributed in North China, East China and Northwest China, and is a common ornamental bamboo. Its bamboo shoots have a light flavor and refreshing taste, which is suitable for the taste of pandas. Phyllostachys glauca McClure has finer fiber and is gentler on the panda's digestive system.
3️⃣Bambusa emeiensis
Bambusa emeiensis is distributed in southern and southwestern China and is a fast-growing and adaptable bamboo. Its bamboo shoots are sweet and crispy in texture, making them one of panda’s delicacies. The fiber of Bambusa emeiensis is relatively coarse and contains high nutritional content, which is helpful for the digestion and absorption of pandas.
4️⃣Indocalamus tessellatus
Indocalamus tessellatus is found in south-central China and its bamboo leaves are wide and suitable as feed for pandas. Indocalamus tessellatus has a fragrant bamboo shoot flavor and a crisp texture, which is very popular among pandas. The fiber of this bamboo is soft and rich in nutrients, which helps pandas digest and absorb it.
5️⃣B.blumeana Schult.f
B.blumeana Schult.f is mainly distributed in the southern and southwestern regions of China and has strong adaptability and stress resistance. Its bamboo shoots taste bitter, but pandas still like to eat them. The fiber of B.blumeana Schult.f is relatively coarse and contains high nutritional content, which is helpful for the digestion and absorption of pandas.