Many zoologists who study pandas classify these animals as bears. However, other researchers believe that these cute plush creatures are more closely related to raccoons. And third researchers distinguish them into a separate family.
Origin
Most supporters of the theory of evolution consider the giant pandas (in other words, the bamboo bear) living fossils that have a relationship with the extinct agriotherium bears, which are somewhat reminiscent of external signs.
Most likely, the ancestor of giant pandas, like modern brown or Himalayan bears, was a predator.
The analyzes carried out on morphology, etymology, anatomy and physiology by E. Tennius, an Australian researcher in the field of paleontology, showed that the giant panda belongs to 16 common features to bears, 5 to raccoons, and 12 differences inherent only in this species. Therefore, most scientists believe that the panda should be assigned to a separate family.
Dental structure and diet
Most likely, due to the scarcity of animal food, giant pandas switched to plant food, that is, bamboo and a number of other components of the green world. The transitional type of menu from a predatory type to a vegetarian is indicated by the structure of their teeth, adapted both for grinding bamboo and for absorbing meat.
So how many teeth does a panda have? Their total number is 40 pieces. Of these, a special role is played by 4 false-rooted teeth and 2 real molars located on top on both sides, as well as the lower two triplets of false-rooted and real molars.
This structure allowed pandas to adapt to solid plant foods. True, the stomach and intestinal tract of animals does not completely digest even young bamboo shoots. The digestive system in pandas is significantly weaker than that of other herbivores. Therefore, in order not to lose weight, giant pandas are forced to consume food all the time, about 15 hours a day.
Today, giant pandas are an endangered species included in the international Red Book. The reason is the development of panda habitats by humans.
It is generally accepted that the panda eats only bamboo. It is indeed a staple food, but giant pandas often replenish their fat and protein stores not only with plants. The animal also does not exclude eating small animals, insects, fish, which it is able to catch (often sick or wounded), and does not hesitate to take carrion. Sometimes, like bears, it ruins bee nests. Such a small variety of food allowed the giant panda to survive to this day.
