If you look in a dictionary for the phrase red panda the definition you will likely find is a small Asian animal that has reddish-brown fur and a long tail, or a long-tailed largely omnivorous mammal (Ailurus fulgens) that is related to and resembles the American raccoon, has long rusty or chestnut fur, and is found from the Himalayas to China-also called lesser panda.
The way I would describe a red panda is as a small raccoon-like animal with red-cinnamon colored fur. They are about the size of a domestic house cat and have long, fluffy, ringed tails. Red pandas are omnivores that are in the raccoon family. They were once thought to be related to the Giant panda, but recent studies have found that they are more closely related to raccoons. They are not endangered but are classified as vulnerable, one step away from endangered. Their major threats are deforestation, poaching, and being caught in snares that are set to catch other animals. They are solitary animals with the exception of mating season. They live in Asia and communicate by making tweeting and whistling sounds. Red pandas are also nocturnal/crepuscular, they tend to sleep in trees in the warmer parts of the day.
A few fun facts about red pandas are:
• Red pandas eat approximately 200 bamboo leaves a day!
• Red pandas live about 8 years in the wild and about 15 in captivity.
• Red pandas can have 1-4 cubs but the average is 2
• Although rare, a group of red pandas is called a sleuth or a sloth
• They have semi-retractable claws
• Adults can weigh anywhere between 6-16 pounds
Red pandas are amazing animals, but their numbers are decreasing every day. The World Wildlife Fund and many other organizations are helping save red pandas. You can help too by visiting the World Wildlife Fund website and adopting a red panda for as little as $25-$100. Save the red pandas!
The way I would describe a red panda is as a small raccoon-like animal with red-cinnamon colored fur. They are about the size of a domestic house cat and have long, fluffy, ringed tails. Red pandas are omnivores that are in the raccoon family. They were once thought to be related to the Giant panda, but recent studies have found that they are more closely related to raccoons. They are not endangered but are classified as vulnerable, one step away from endangered. Their major threats are deforestation, poaching, and being caught in snares that are set to catch other animals. They are solitary animals with the exception of mating season. They live in Asia and communicate by making tweeting and whistling sounds. Red pandas are also nocturnal/crepuscular, they tend to sleep in trees in the warmer parts of the day.
A few fun facts about red pandas are:
• Red pandas eat approximately 200 bamboo leaves a day!
• Red pandas live about 8 years in the wild and about 15 in captivity.
• Red pandas can have 1-4 cubs but the average is 2
• Although rare, a group of red pandas is called a sleuth or a sloth
• They have semi-retractable claws
• Adults can weigh anywhere between 6-16 pounds
Red pandas are amazing animals, but their numbers are decreasing every day. The World Wildlife Fund and many other organizations are helping save red pandas. You can help too by visiting the World Wildlife Fund website and adopting a red panda for as little as $25-$100. Save the red pandas!