In order to solve the problem in collision protection, the work aims to propose a layered bionic sandwich energy absorption and buffer protection structure based on the bionic design concept. The sub-layer structure of biomaterials was integrated into the sandwich configuration design, and the thermoplastic bionic sandwich samples were successfully prepared by 3D printing technology. After 10 groups of quasi-static compression tests, the results showed that the maximum specific energy absorption of the structure was 5.48 J/g, the maximum peak load and the maximum average crushing load were 25.77 and 16.21 kN, respectively, and the maximum compression load efficiency was 0.67. Compared with the control group, the bionic sandwich structure with sub-layer features had a significant increase in load carrying capacity and energy absorption. It was found that with the increase of structure thickness, the specific absorption energy, peak load and average crushing load increased, but the compression load efficiency decreased. The sub-layer structure parameters have a significant effect on mechanical properties. The adjustment of the outer dimension not only changes the stiffness characteristics of the structure, but also causes the nonlinear change of the compression load. This study provides a new reference for the mechanical bionic design of safety protection materials.