The Red Panda Facts
The red panda is a smaller version of the black and white panda that most people know. This panda does not get bigger than the size of a house cat and has 18-inch bushy ringed tails. The panda uses these tails as blankets to wrap around them when the mountain becomes too cold. This panda also lives in high altitudes including the mountains of Nepal, Northern Myanmar (also known as Burma) and in central regions of China.
The red panda spends most of their lives in the treetops often sleeping. They begin to wake up at dusk and are the most active at night. They can also be seen moving around during the early dawn hours. These pandas like the taste of bamboo but they will eat other foods as well. The red panda will eat fruits, acorns, roots, and even eggs. They have an extended wrist bone that functions almost like the human thumb to help with their grip.
The red panda is shy to expect when looking to mate. Females usually have babies during the spring or summer and have one to four offspring at a time. The babies will stay in their nesting area for around 90 days. During this time the mother will take care of them. Males have little interest in their offspring.
This panda has been scientifically classified as a relative of the giant panda and also the raccoon. The red pandas are considered to be members of their own family called the Ailuridae. Due to deforestation, the red panda is an endangered species. The logging and the spread of agriculture are taking away the homes of this panda.
Source: 21Facts
