When most people see the word "panda," they think of the
Big, furry, black-and-white Giant Panda. But the
Lesser-known Red Panda, three times smaller, is also in
Danger. Today classified as vulnerable, its status could
Quickly change to endangered. The red panda is a living fossil. It has no close surviving relatives, and most resembles raccoons and skunks, not giant pandas. The red
Pandas live in the eastern Himalayas and southwestern
China. They primarily eat bamboo leaves and berries and
Blossoms. Red Pandas mostly stay to themselves except
During mating time that is during the day time. After about
134 days the red pandas give birth to one-four young. After
Birth the red pandas mother cleans her cubs and recognizes
It’s by smell. Baby red pandas reach adult size about twelve
Months. The babies are born in small holes in the trees. If
The red pandas den is discovered more than once by a
Human the mother eats her cubs. Their claws are partially
Retractable. They have an extended bone which is like a thumb. Red pandas live up to twelve – fourteen years. Over the winter they lose 15% of body weight.
Like the giant pandas it has a false thumb. That is an extension of the wrist bone. The red panda is slightly larger than a domestic cat. It has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail and a waddling due to its shorter legs. The red panda is the only living species of the genus Ailurus and the
Family Ailuridae. It’s also in the bear families and also not closely related to the giant pandas. The red pandas have excellent camouflage against its habitat of moss- and
Lichen- covered trees. The Snow leopards and wild dogs are the predators. The red pandas are most active