Recent Findings Suggest Pandas Evolved To Eat Bamboo Six Million Years Ago

Six million-year-old panda remains suggest pandas developed a sixth digit to help hold and eat bamboo.

By Monica Cull
Jun 30, 2022 3:00 PMJun 30, 2022 3:01 PM
Panda
(Credit:Stella sophie/Shutterstock)

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A recent study suggests that panda bears may have developed a liking for bamboo nearly six million years ago. The giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, has a unique feature with its paw that other bear species do not. Bears typically have five digits on their paws, however, the giant panda has a sixth digit on its wrist bone that acts like a thumb. This extra digit is used to maneuver and manage bamboo stalks. 

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