Why giant pandas cover themselves in fresh horse manure during the winter

Science · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When temperatures drop, giant pandas engage in a messy ritual: rolling in fresh horse manure. While it looks like strange play, researchers suggest this behavior is actually a clever way to cope with the cold, using specific chemicals to mitigate the bitter sting of freezing air.

For over a decade, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Beijing Zoo have investigated the phenomenon known as horse manure rolling (HMR). After first observing a wild panda in 2007, the team used camera traps to document the behavior. Between June 2016 and June 2017, they recorded 38 specific instances of pandas thoroughly smearing themselves in feces, often using their paws to ensure their fur was completely covered. The study was conducted within China's Foping National Nature Reserve. This long-term investigation was led by biologist Fuwen Wei.

The timing of this behavior is not random. Observations show that pandas only engage in HMR when temperatures fall below 15°C (approximately 23°F to 59°F). The pandas are also highly selective, only choosing fresh manure that is at most a week and a half old. This suggests the behavior is a response to specific environmental conditions rather than a random habit.

The mechanism behind this ritual lies in two aromatic chemicals found in fresh manure: beta-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide. These substances dissipate quickly, which explains why the pandas require fresh piles. Experiments with captive pandas and mice suggest these chemicals do not actually provide physical warmth; instead, they appear to reduce the sensation of cold, much like how a topical ointment might take the sting out of cold air on human skin. The researchers discovered these specific compounds are highly volatile. This explains why the pandas seek out recently deposited waste.

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