What is a Red Panda?

The red panda is one of our precious endangered species. With only about 2500 left in the world, in 1996, the red panda was put on the international endangered species list. Their natural predators are the snow leopard and the yellow-necked marten (weasel). However, with hunting and habitat fragmentation, their greatest threat is man.

The red panda was first recorded by the 13th-century Chou dynasty. They were called Wah, reflecting the sound they made. The local people referred to them as poonya which was later translated as “panda.”

The red panda is also known as the firefox, firecat, red cat bear and lesser panda. It is from the Ailurus Fulgens (“shining cat”) species. Their classification has been confusing researchers for decades as they carry strong traits of both the panda and the raccoon. The red panda was finally given its own unique family classification in the 21st Century as the Ailuridae.

Resembling a raccoon, the red panda is an average of 2 feet (60 cm) in length, plus a long 1.5-foot (46 cm) tail. The average weight is 12 lbs (5 kg) and can get as large as 20 lbs (9 kg).

The red pandas have a striking appearance; their red body separates the face and tail which carrying the famous black and white striped rings of the raccoon. Their markings make it possible for them to blend well into their environment where red mosses and white lichens grow on the trees.

Like the giant pandas, they have long white whiskers and an extra “thumb,” which is an enlarged bone on their wrists and aids in gripping. The red panda is an excellent climber and spends most of his time in the trees. He only comes down to forage for food. They are mostly nocturnal and become most active at dusk and dawn.

The red panda resides along with the giant pandas in the high altitude, cool climates of the bamboo forests of Bhutan, southern and central China, the Himalayas, Myanmar and Nepal. In India, it is the state animal of Sikkim, and enjoys the status of the Darjeeling international festival’s mascot.

These herbivores dine primarily on bamboo leaves and shoots. The females can eat up to 200,000 leaves per day. To supplement the diminishing bamboo trees, the red panda occasionally eats acorns, berries, blossoms, various small plants and fungi, small bird eggs and insects. They have even been known to eat small animals such as rodents or birds.

The females bear their young in late spring and early summer after a gestation period of about 135 days. They prepare a nest in the hollow of a tree or a rock crevice where they produce one to four offspring, and remain with them for the first 90 days exclusively. The males have no role in the raising of the young. The young remain close to their mother for the first six to seven months at which time the mother will begin her new mating season.

The red panda reaches adult size by the first year and become sexually active by 18 months. Their lifespan in captivity is normally 8 – 10 years but they have been known to live up to 17.5 years. In the wild, their life expectancy is 8 years. The red panda is shy, quiet and except for mating and rearing their young, lives a solitary life.

Their lush fur is useful to the red panda in the cold climates they inhabit. They have long, soft, beautiful red-brown fur covering their entire body, including their feet. Their tail is functional to keep their balance in the tall trees and is used as a blanket to keep them warm during the cold months.

Since 1986, several breeding programs have been established in India. The Darjeeling zoo has been very successful in breeding and returning the young to the wild. They insert an electronic microchip in the juveniles when they are released. After a 6-month period of tracking them, they will remove the chips in the successful group and allow them to continue their natural lives. For those that appear to be having difficulty, they return them to the safety of the zoo.

The red panda is a small mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It inhabits temperate forests at high altitudes, preferring bamboo-rich environments. Despite its name, it's not closely related to the giant panda but shares the bamboo diet and some habitat preferences. The red panda is classified as endangered, with fewer than 10,000 mature individuals remaining in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

Red pandas are primarily herbivores with a diet heavily focused on bamboo leaves and shoots, which comprise about 85-95% of their diet. However, they are omnivores and will also eat fruits, acorns, roots, and eggs. Their diet varies seasonally depending on the availability of different food sources. They have a false thumb, which is an extension of the wrist bone, to help grasp bamboo while eating.

As a frugivore and herbivore, the red panda plays a crucial role in its ecosystem by helping to disperse seeds through its feces, thus aiding in vegetation growth. It also helps maintain the bamboo forests by pruning the plants when it feeds, which can stimulate new growth. Their role in the food chain also supports the balance of predator-prey dynamics in their habitat.

The red panda faces several threats, with habitat loss due to deforestation for timber, agriculture, and human settlement being the most significant. Poaching for their distinctive pelts and pet trade also poses a risk. Additionally, climate change is altering their habitat, making it less suitable for their survival. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect this species from extinction.

Red pandas are solitary animals, coming together only for mating. Females give birth to one to four cubs after a gestation period of about 134 days. The cubs are born blind and helpless, and the mother cares for them in a nest, usually in a hollow tree or rock crevice. Cubs stay with their mother for about a year before becoming independent.

Yes, there are several conservation programs aimed at protecting red pandas. Organizations like the Red Panda Network and the World Wildlife Fund work to preserve their habitats, reduce human impact, and increase local awareness. Protected areas have been established within their range, and breeding programs in zoos worldwide contribute to their conservation. International laws also regulate trade and hunting of red pandas.