The primary diet of a panda, specifically the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), consists almost entirely of bamboo. Despite being classified as carnivores, giant pandas have adapted to consume bamboo, which makes up about 99% of their diet. They require a large amount of bamboo daily, typically consuming between 20 to 40 pounds to meet their energy needs. Pandas have strong jaw muscles and specialized teeth to effectively crush and eat the tough stalks of bamboo. Occasionally, they may eat other vegetation, fruits, or small animals, but their dependence on bamboo significantly influences their habitat selection and conservation efforts in the wild.