Native Habitat in China
Pandas are native to China and live in the temperate forests of the country's mountainous regions, including the Qinling, Minshan, and Qionglai Mountains. They are primarily found in Sichuan Province, but also inhabit parts of Gansu, Shaanxi, and Tibet.
A Specialized Bamboo Diet
Pandas have a highly specialized diet consisting almost exclusively of bamboo. This grass grows abundantly in the forests where pandas live. Pandas possess a long digestive tract and a special wrist bone called a "pseudo-thumb" that helps them grasp bamboo stalks. They spend much of their day foraging and can consume up to 30 pounds of bamboo daily.
Occasional Supplemental Foods
In addition to bamboo, pandas may eat other plants, grasses, fruits, and insects. However, bamboo makes up the vast majority of their diet and remains essential for their survival.