Researchers uncovered the mystery behind one of the oddest animal behaviours found - male pandas performing a handstand when they urinate. There is a purpose to this gymnastic feat, however, for an upside-down panda can get his pee higher up a tree - allowing him to spread his scent further afield and therefore increase his chances during the limited mating window.
Along with the urine, pandas also secrete 'anogenital gland secretions', a waxy substance which indicates the age and sex of the panda to curious observers. The researchers said: "Aiming urine backwards and hitting the target is probably no easy task, particularly when doing a handstand, so selection of larger trees for urine marks probably maximizes the amount of urine that reaches the target."
The animals can be fussy about which spot they pick. They will happily pee on a tree covered with moss, but they will not leave gland secretions on moss, with researchers theorizing that the sap of a tree with no moss might bind the smell to the bark where moss covering will prevent this happening. Most people know that pandas live on an almost exclusive diet of bamboo, which is a poor provider of energy, means pandas need to be careful how they use their energy.
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