* Large, powerful jaws: Pandas have incredibly strong jaws that allow them to crush bamboo stalks.
* Specialized teeth: Their molars are flat and wide, like grinding stones, perfect for chewing tough bamboo.
* Lips with a "sixth finger": They have a fleshy, protruding pad on their lower lip that acts like a sixth finger, helping them grasp and manipulate bamboo stalks while eating.
* No saliva: Unlike most mammals, pandas don't produce a lot of saliva, as it wouldn't help break down the fibrous bamboo.
* A "pseudo-thumb": While not technically a sixth finger, the giant panda's wrist bone acts as a thumb-like appendage, allowing them to grip bamboo stalks more effectively.
In summary, the giant panda's mouth is a fascinating example of evolutionary adaptation, specifically tailored to meet the demands of their challenging bamboo diet.