Giant pandas are not nocturnal animals, but the narrow pupils allow them to see at night as a large portion of the night is spent eating bamboo. Little is known about the rest of the giant panda's senses, but it is known that they have a keen sense of smell. The throat of the giant panda has an esophagus with a tough, horny lining to protect the bear from injury by bamboo splinters. The pyloric region of the stomach is similarly protected with its thick muscular wall linings. The small intestines are shortened and the colon area is enlarged.
Giant pandas have forepaws, which are extremely flexible.
This highly functional thumb allows the panda to manipulate bamboo stems and leaves, with dexterity and precision. Their sharp claws, are capable of climbing trees very easily if they feel imminent danger is present, to sleep or just to look around the area. The normal motion of the panda is a fast diagonal walk that most mammals implement. Their walk is bear-like but less graceful and their toes are turned inward when walking. When walking the giant panda carries its head below the shoulders with their tail pressed against their body.