What would paleontologists think about the panda?
If all biological records are lost, and pandas went extinct, what would paleontologists think about the panda? Would they be able to tell it eats almost entirely bamboo dispite that they are carnivores?
Thank you for the answers, but what I ment by "despite that they are carnivores" is that they are classified as carnivores, under the order carnivora.
I think they would be able to piece it together, given various features of their anatomy. By the way, I don't understand your assertion that they "eat almost entirely bamboo despite being carnivores" -- they are not carnivores.
The evidence they would rely on:
1. The giant panda skull and mandible include modifications that adapt a carnivore skull to an herbivorous diet. The temporal fossa is expanded and provides more extensive muscle attachment for the temporalis muscle. The zygomatic arch is enlarged to provide a larger surface area of attachment for the masseter and zygomaticomandibular muscles. The zygomatic arch also is expanded laterally to increase the temporal fossa. This lateral expansion limits the horizontal movement of the jaw. Having larger muscles allows the giant panda to crush the tough bamboo stalks.
2. The giant panda's dentition is modified from that of bears. The Dental formula for (carnivore) bears is 3/3, 1/1, 4/4, 2/3, a total of 42 teeth. The giant panda's dental formula is 3/3, 1/1, 4/4, 2/2, a total of 40 teeth. The giant pandas premolars and molars have become enlarged and very broad compared to bear teeth. The enlarged molars help crush fibrous plant material.
Additional details: Gotcha, I see what you meant now! 
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