At the 42nd Seminar of Eastern Sci-Tech Forum held in Shanghai, a systems biologist stated that the giant panda is classified as a carnivore, but it is actually a herbivore, feeding mainly on bamboo. It feeds on both the shoots and the roots but whenever available, it prefers the tender leaves and stems.

Interestingly, though the giant panda feeds mainly on bamboo, its digestive system does not cope well with it and much of the bamboo it eats is undigesteds. This may cause malnutrition, affecting its capabilities of reproduction and movement.