Because pandas consume a diet low in nutrition, it is important that they keep their digestive tract full. Giant pandas selectively eat different parts of the bamboo plant, depending on the season. Pandas consume mainly leaves and young stems form November to March, mainly old stems from April to June, and primarily leaves from July to October. This is over 10,000 pounds of bamboo per year. The panda's round face is an adaptation to its bamboo diet.
Pandas have powerful jaw muscles that attach to a prominent sagittal crest.
They have large molars for crushing and grinding fibrous plant material. Activity Cycle Giant pandas are most active in the early morning and evening, indicating that they are crepuscular. A panda is usually active for about 14 hour per day. Most of the active time is spent foraging. Other activities like traveling scent marking, and grooming, only take a small percentage of the panda's time.