Determination of bamboo-diet digestibility and fecal output by giant pandas

Sims, Julie A.; Parsons, Jennifer L.; Bissell, Heidi; Sikes, Robert S.; Ouellette, John R.; Rude, Brian J.

doi:10.2192/1537-6176(2007)18[38:dobdaf]2.0.co;2

Cited by 14 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Our data support earlier conclusions that giant pandas are relatively inefficient digesters of fibrous plant material [for specifics of fiber digestiblity, see Sims et al, 2007]. They have low digestibility compared with other large herbivores, such as elk (Cervus elaphus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), both of which show apparent dry matter digestibilities of around 70% [Robbins, 1983].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Similar ratios have been reported in panda intake from captive individuals [Dierenfeld et al, 1982;Mainka et al, 1989]. Because a majority of the plant consists of culm and branches, bamboo is composed primarily of structural carbohydrates, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin [Sims et al, 2007]. These highly indigestible structures present assimilation problems for pandas because of their limited ability to digest structural carbohydrates [Sims et al, 2007].…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 63%

“…Acids in the stomach might break certain sugar linkages, making them more available for digestion and absorption in the lower tract [Dierenfeld et al, 1982;Schaller et al, 1985]. Hemicellulose digestibilities by giant pandas reported by researchers ranged from 18 to 29% [Dierenfeld et al, 1982;Long et al, 2004;Schaller et al, 1985;Sims et al, 2007]. Partial ability to use hemicellulose of bamboo suggests an adaptation to a low nutrient food source to obtain sufficient energy to maintain daily activities and metabolic requirements [Long et al, 2004].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because a majority of the plant consists of culm and branches, bamboo is composed primarily of structural carbohydrates, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin [Sims et al, 2007]. These highly indigestible structures present assimilation problems for pandas because of their limited ability to digest structural carbohydrates [Sims et al, 2007]. Schaller et al [1985] concluded that the combination of traits discussed above make bamboo low-quality forage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study was designed to provide further information regarding the apparent energy digestibility of bamboo by adult, nonreproductive, captive giant pandas based on digestibility trials and bomb calorimetry. Nutrient composition (e.g., crude protein, hemicelluloses, crude fiber, ash) was also determined and is reported elsewhere [see Sims et al, 2007].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Energy digestibility of giant pandas on bamboo‐only and on supplemented diets

et al. 2010

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Endangered giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are bears (Family Ursidae), within the order Carnivora. They specialize on an herbivorous diet of bamboo yet retain a gastrointestinal tract typical of their carnivorous ancestry. The evolutionary constraints of their digestive tract result in a low extraction efficiency from bamboo (<40% in reported studies). The goal of this study was to determine the energy digestibility of bamboo by giant pandas used in digestibility trials and through subsequent analyses with bomb calorimetry. Seven digestibility trials were conducted (three with bamboo-only diets and four with supplemental diets). Energy digestibilities ranged from 7.5-38.9% for mixed diets and 9.2-34.0% for bamboo-only diets. The bamboo-only trials summarized here represent, to our knowledge, the first empirical data available for energy digestibility on a bamboo diet for giant pandas.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Energy digestibility of giant pandas on bamboo‐only and on supplemented diets

et al. 2010

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Seasonal shifts in giant panda feeding behavior: relationships to bamboo plant part consumption

et al. 2010

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The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is classified as a carnivore, yet subsists on a diet comprised almost exclusively of bamboo. Wild and captive giant pandas use highly selective foraging behaviors for processing and consuming bamboo. These behaviors are for the first time quantified in captive giant pandas over a 5-year period of time showing highly specific seasonal trends. Giant panda feeding behavior was recorded using live video observations of two giant pandas housed at the Memphis Zoo from November 2003 to June 2008. Leaf was the primary plant part consumed from June to December, whereas culm was consumed primarily from February to May, with both bears displaying similar seasonal shifts in plant part consumption. From May to June, leaf consumption increased significantly (P-values<0.001); from June to August, leaf consumption remained high and stable. From December to March, leaf consumption decreased significantly (P-values<0.001). Specific behaviors for bamboo leaf and culm consumption were also observed. Both bears formed wads of leaves before ingestion while feeding on leaf, but the male employed this feeding behavior more often than the female (54 and 33%, respectively). Both bears used similar culm-stripping behavior (26 and 25%), used to remove the outer layer and isolate the pith for consumption. This study indicates that unique seasonal foraging behaviors observed in wild pandas are also apparent in captive animals in relation to plant part selectivity and feeding behaviors.

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Giant panda feces: potential raw material in preparation of nitrocellulose for propellants

Duan

Shi

et al. 2023

Cellulose

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Determination of bamboo-diet digestibility and fecal output by giant pandas

Cited by 14 publications

References 11 publications

Energy digestibility of giant pandas on bamboo‐only and on supplemented diets

Energy digestibility of giant pandas on bamboo‐only and on supplemented diets

Seasonal shifts in giant panda feeding behavior: relationships to bamboo plant part consumption

Giant panda feces: potential raw material in preparation of nitrocellulose for propellants

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