Study of the digestive rate of coarse cellulose of giant pandas

Abstract

Comparative study and analysis were undertaken, by the authors ont he digestive rate of animal ration’s coarse cellulose inbamboo powder: concentrates andbamboo: concentrates by man-fed Giant pandas at Fuzhou Giant Panda Research Center in the attempt to find out effective ways to raise the digestive and absorptive rates of coarse cellulose and to prevent giant panda from intestinal obstruction. The results demonstrate: 1. The difference in digestive rate of coarse cellulose betweenbamboo powder: concentrates andbamboo: concentrates is extremely significant (t=15.73>t0.01 (4,3)=3.57).2. The digestive rate of coarse cellulose in bamboo powder made of different bamboo species, is not notably different. (F=2.05<F0.05 (2,8)=4.46) 3. In the experiment group, there exists no notable difference in digestive rate of coarse cellulose of bamboo powder among mdividuals (P<0.01). The experiment shows that if giant panda is fed with mechanically ground bamboo combined with concentrates of balanced nutrients, the digestive rate of coarse cellulose in the rations can be favorably increased, thus the effective utilization of bamboo as a line of the animal’s feed and the raising feeding returns can be made more effective. The effects of bamboo powder on Giant pandas digestive organs and digestive physiology, digestive rate of coarse cellulose of different bamboo species, the difference in digestive functions among individual Giant Panda needs further studies.