The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) has cranial morphology similar to the extinct hominin genus Paranthropus which makes it an interesting model species for comparing diet. Both species have wide skulls with flared zygomatic arches as well as large, moralized dentition which are thought to be adaptions for chewing. To gain insight into possible food sources of Paranthropus, the giant panda's diet of bamboo is investigated. Mechanical properties data are gathered from young and adult bamboo shoots using a universal testing machine which provides data on the toughness, hardness, elastic...