The red panda is a carnivoran
native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It is listed as
Endangered on the IUCN Red List because the wild population is estimated
at fewer than 10,000 mature
individuals and continues to decline due to habitat loss and
fragmentation, poaching, and inbreeding depression. Despite its name, it
is not closely related to the
giant panda.
The red panda has
reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy
tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs; it is roughly the
size of a domestic cat, though with a longer body. It is arboreal and
feeds mainly on bamboo, but also
eats eggs, birds, and insects. It is a solitary animal, mainly active
from dusk to dawn, and is largely
sedentary during the day. It is also called lesser panda, red bear-cat and
red cat-bear.
The red panda is the only living
member of the genus Ailurus and the family Ailuridae. It has previously
been placed in the raccoon and bear families, but the results of
phylogenetic analysis provide strong support for its taxonomic
classification in its own family,
Ailuridae, which is part of the
superfamily Musteloidea, along
with the weasel, raccoon and skunk families.
Learn more about these beautiful creatures!