Hong Kong (CNN) — Pandas famously love bamboo but the fluffy mammals actually have digestive systems typical of animals that eat a meat-based diet – and Chinese scientists now think they know why.

The reedy, tree-like grass is a panda's primary food source, especially the shoots. However, because bamboo has little protein, pandas can eat up to 12 hours a day, consuming roughly 26 to 84 pounds ...

Pandas famously love bamboo but the fluffy mammals actually have digestive systems typical of animals that eat a meat-based diet - and Chinese scientists now think they know why. They say gorging ...

The researchers believe that as pandas eat more bamboo as they grow, certain miRNAs accumulate, modulate gene expression, and aid in the adaptation to the taste of bamboo. These miRNAs might also ...