Final answer:
The giant panda has a 'pseudo-thumb' - a modified wrist bone - which helps it grip bamboo and is a key adaptation for its survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
The unusual adaptation evident in the giant panda's front paws includes a modified wrist bone that functions similarly to a thumb. This adaptation is known as a 'pseudo-thumb' and it allows the panda to grip and manipulate bamboo, which makes up the majority of its diet. The pseudo-thumb is an extension of the radial sesamoid bone, which has evolved to help the panda in its feeding habits. Besides holding bamboo, this adaptation also aids in climbing and foraging. Panda's large molar teeth are also adapted for crushing bamboo, showing the specialized nature of their dietary needs. Integrating features from their arboreal ancestors, pandas retain a grasping capability in their paws, aiding in their survival in the bamboo forests they inhabit.