9 Animals that Eat Bamboo (A to Z List +Pictures)

Animals that eat bamboo include Bamboo Lemur, Bamboo Rat, Panda, Chimpanzee, and Elephant.

Do you know which animals eat bamboo? If you guessed pandas, you are correct! Pandas are the most famous animals that eat bamboo. But they are not the only ones. There are many other animals that enjoy this tasty plant.

Bamboo is a type of grass that is found in many parts of the world. It is often used as a construction material because it is strong and lightweight. Bamboo also has some interesting properties when it comes to food.

Many animals feed on bamboo, either eating the plant itself or eating the animals that eat bamboo.

Bamboo is a good source of nutrients for these animals, and it can help them survive in harsh environments.

In this blog post, we will discuss some of these animals and how they benefit from eating bamboo.

Examples of Animals that Eat Bamboo

1. Bamboo Lemur

With a head and body length of 22 to 28 inches, the bamboo lemur is a primate that can be found in Madagascar.

These animals have a long tail that is almost as long as their bodies and they frequently move through trees by gripping onto branches with all four limbs, though when on the ground, they move by walking on all fours while supporting themselves with their tail.

The coloration of this lemur varies and can be gray to reddish-brown to light orange in appearance.

The bamboo lemur is a critically endangered primate that is endemic to Madagascar. These animals are frugivorous and primarily eat bamboo, but they also consume other plant species and occasionally insects.

Because the bamboo lemur is restricted to a single habitat and faces numerous threats, it is considered one of the most endangered primates in the world.

Efforts are currently being made to protect this unique species, but more work is needed to ensure its survival.

2. Bamboo Rat

Bamboo rats are an interesting species of rodent found in Southeast Asia. These animals have a unique diet that consists mainly of bamboo. Bamboo rats are one of the only known mammals that eat bamboo on a regular basis.

This interesting diet has made these rodents an important part of the ecosystem in their natural habitat.

3. Chimpanzee

Chimpanzees live in Africa and they love to eat bamboo. They usually strip the leaves off of the bamboo before eating it, but they will also eat the stem and the roots.

Chimpanzees get a lot of nutrients from bamboo, including protein, fiber, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Bamboo is an important part of their diet and helps them stay healthy.

4. Elephants

Elephants live in Africa and Asia. They love to eat bamboo and they can consume a lot of it! Elephants usually strip the leaves off of the bamboo before eating it, but they will also eat the stem and the roots.

Bamboo is an important part of their diet and helps them stay healthy.

5. Giant Pandas

The giant panda is well known for its diet of bamboo. Pandas have evolved to specifically digest the tough cellulose in bamboo, which results in their digestion period being around 12-16 hours long.

Bamboo is such an important part of the panda’s diet that they will travel long distances to find new sources of it. In captivity, pandas are sometimes given a variety of other foods to supplement their bamboo diet, but they will always choose bamboo if it is available.

6. Golden Monkey

Bamboo, the evergreen plant that is often seen in gardens, can be eaten by golden monkeys.

The monkeys strip away the bark and eat the inner stem of the bamboo. This food source is important for the monkeys since they live in areas where there are few other options for food. Bamboo is also a great source of fiber and protein.

7. Humans

Bamboo is a popular choice for flooring in homes and businesses. Not only is it durable, but it’s also a sustainable resource. Did you know that bamboo is also edible? That’s right, you can eat bamboo.

Bamboo shoots are a delicacy in many parts of the world, and they’re packed with nutrients. If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to traditional vegetables, give bamboo a try.

8. Mountain Gorilla

Mountain gorillas are one of the two species of gorillas, and they are found in Eastern Africa. These primates mainly eat bamboo, which makes up about half of their diet. Bamboo has a lot of nutritional value for these animals, and it is a good source of fiber.

In addition to bamboo, mountain gorillas also eat other types of vegetation, fruit, and occasionally insects.

9. Red Panda

Red pandas are experts when it comes to eating bamboo. A red panda’s diet consists almost entirely of bamboo, and they can digest the tough plant in a way that other animals cannot. This gives them an advantage over other herbivores in their ecosystem.

Red pandas have specially adapted digestive tracts and teeth that help them process bamboo quickly and easily. In fact, they can consume 50% of their body weight in bamboo every day.

Bamboo is a crucial part of the red panda’s diet and plays an important role in their ecosystem.

Garreth

Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.