News Animals

Giant pandas may roll in horse poop to feel warm

Explaining the gross behavior was an epic scientific journey

giant panda climbing a tree

A wild giant panda climbs a tree in Foping National Nature Reserve in Shaanxi Province, China. New research suggests that pandas in this region roll in horse manure in cold weather to stay warm.

F. Wei

By Jonathan Lambert

- More than 2 years ago

It was a strange sight: In the winter of 2007, scientists in China spotted a wild giant panda romping about in horse manure, diligently smearing itself with excrement until its fur became a poo-muddled mess.