Mascot, what do you eat?

*pokes at the moving costume*

Me: Excuse me, Mr. Mascot, what do you have for your meals?
Mascot: Bamboo, and lots of it.
Me: Won't you gain weight from it?
Mascot: *gapes at me before fainting*

P.S. This Giveaway is hosted by Luxury Haven.

Since I have jumped at the opportunity to participate in the giveaway, I'll have to write about the panda's food to, I hope, the best of my creative abilities. I'm rather nervous as it's been a long while since I last wrote a post as an entry - the last being Nuffnang Blog Awards 2011.

So, here I go.

A panda is known as a carnivore and even though it has the digestive system of one, it has been blessed with unique adaptations to survive on bamboos only. Since there is little nutrition in bamboos, a panda has to ensure that its daily intake of the plant is enough to keep hunger at bay and reduce its energy expenditures.



Credits to Wikipedia for the bamboo picture.

Bamboo is a part of the grass family, which explains its speedy growth after being harvested without injuring the eco system. It will stop growing only when it reaches its maximum height. There are at least 1450 species of the plant and can be found in various climates, with the hardy ones surviving in a temperature of -29 Celsius while the fragile ones will die before or at a temperature of below -1 Celsius.

When in abundance, there have been reported cases of less rodent attacks.

Not only does the plant provide food for pandas and other animals, it is also harvested for culinary dishes such as the Malaysian lemang and the Thai Khao lam.

For more information, you might want to visit this website.