A six-year study has found that pandas switch between different species of bamboo to reproduce. Pandas travel long distances to eat parts of two different bamboo species, arrow bamboo and wood bamboo.

This way, pandas maintain good diet and get all the nutrients they require for healthy breeding. The research was led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Sydney University. Scientists carried out an experiment in which they attached GPS collars to seven pandas in Foping reserve in Shaanxi, central China.

While tracking the pandas, researchers were able to confirm that during spring, pandas travel up the valleys of the Qinling mountains to higher ground and then they move back to lower ground in autumn.

On higher grounds, the pandas were able to have protein from bamboo shoots. But they did not get calcium-rich leaves at that height. Therefore, the pandas have to move to lower grounds to eat those leaves.

Calcium is important for reproduction purpose among pandas. Professor David Raubenheimer of Sydney University said the notion that bamboo is not good food for bamboos is not correct.

"Pandas have adapted to bamboo; it's their food. When you look at it more closely you understand there are patterns of movement needed for diet and reproduction", affirmed Raubenheimer, co-author of the study.

It is not possible for many herbivores to eat bamboo. It could be a challenge for them as nutrients in them are diluted. But this problem is not faced by pandas as they eat big amounts of it. It is important to conserve the two habitats for pandas as they have to travel different places to get optimum level of calcium, nitrogen and protein.