Hi! Let’s learn what pandas eat.
Pandas love bamboo. Bamboo is their main food. Bamboo is a tall, green plant that looks like a thick grass or a thin tree.
Why do pandas eat bamboo?
- Bamboo grows where pandas live, so it is easy for them to find.
- Pandas have strong jaws and big flat teeth that are good for crushing and chewing bamboo.
- Even though bamboo does not give a lot of energy, pandas eat a lot of it to stay full and active.
How much bamboo do they eat?
Pandas eat a LOT—almost all day. A big panda can eat about 20 to 40 kilograms in one day (that is like eating many, many apples!). They take many bites because bamboo is not very rich in energy.
Do pandas eat anything else?
Yes. Pandas also enjoy fruits and other treats. In the wild they might nibble other plants or sometimes small animals, but not often. In zoos, keepers give pandas tasty snacks like apples, carrots, and sweet potatoes. These are like special treats for them.
Fun facts
- Baby pandas drink their mothers milk at first, then slowly start to try bamboo.
- Pandas use their strong paws to hold bamboo while they eat, like you hold a snack.
Want to try a panda game? Pretend a stick of celery is bamboo, take small bites, and count how many bites you take in one minute. Pandas take lots of bites every day!