Giant Panda saves energy by limiting its physical activity

@@ Giant Panda saves energy by limiting its physical activity 

@@Pandas survive mostly on bamboo and they can be found either eating or sleeping// Giant pandas are always seen munching bamboo in the photos// A new research published in journal Science has found that pandas remain lazy to save energy// Due to their low activity, their energy requirements are quite low// Another recently conducted study found that Pandas do not digest all the bamboo they eat during the day//

@@Compared to other bears, Pandas spend very little energy on moving around or playing// Their metabolism has developed in such a way that they can survive on low energy food// Also, Pandas have very low diversity in their diet compared to other bears//

@@The Researchers tracked five captive pandas and three wild pandas and recorded their daily energy expenditure [DEE]//

@@The researchers added in the paper, *The giant pandas energy measurements are among the lowest, relative to body mass, ever made for mammals not in torpor, which is sort of like suspended animation// The daily energy expenditure values for giant pandas are substantially lower than those for koalas, for example, and more akin to those of three toed sloths*//

@@The results revealed that the pandas are far less active than other bears// The authors assert that the brains, livers and kidneys of the giant pandas were found to be smaller than those in other bears and this probably contribute to their low energy demands//

@@Further, the research reveals that the thyroid hormone levels of these giant pandas were startlingly low, comparable to a hibernating black bear// The researchers have identified a gene variation in pandas that causes underactive thyroids// Since, the thyroid hormones are important for regulating body weight and energy, thus their low levels have been held responsible for sluggishness in giant pandas//

@@*We found that their low metabolism is correlated with very low levels of their thyroid hormones, which was linked to a genetic mutation in the thyroid hormone synthesis pathway that is unique to the panda,* Research team member Professor John Speakman said// A big problem with having such a low metabolic rate is keeping warm, researchers said// Pandas have exceptionally thick fur which traps what body heat they have inside, however this means that the surface temperature of pandas, which the team measured with a thermal camera, is much lower than other black and white animals, such as zebras and Dalmatian dogs//

@@*We found that their low metabolism is correlated with very low levels of their thyroid hormones, which was linked to a genetic mutation in the thyroid hormone synthesis pathway that is unique to the panda,* Speakman said//

@@A big problem with having such a low metabolic rate is keeping warm, researchers said//