THE RED PANDA
Unlike the black and white panda, the Red Panda isn't a bear at all. It's actually a member of the raccoon family. The bear-like little creatures weigh in at little more than a housecat. They are found in the temperate forests of the Himalayas and mountainous areas of China. In 2004, Red Pandas were found in Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmarm, Burma and Nepal.
Known as the "Lesser Panda" or the "Fire Fox", the Red Panda is about 2 feet long plus a long tail 1.5 feet long. They weigh about 12 pounds. They are seldom aggressive and are relatively easy to tame and handle.
The shy Red Pandas are active in the early morning and late afternoon, but spend most of their time resting in trees, conserving their energy. They sleep curled up on a branch. Predators of the Red Panda include the snow leopard and yellow-necked marten.
Like their larger cousins, Red Pandas are solitary creatures that eat mainly bamboo shoots. They are a little less fussy than giant pandas, though, and their diet can include grass, fruit, eggs, acorns, roots, insects and some small animals (rodents and young birds).
The maximum life span for a captive red panda is 14 years with 8-10 the average age. The average life span in the wild is not known.
With only two to three thousand red pandas left in the world, the species is endangered. Like bears, the Red Panda’s habitat is threatened by deforestation. The animals are also sought for their fur, which is used to make a traditional Chinese hat. They have also been hunted for their bushy tail, which is turned into feather dusters.
We can ALL do our part to help with the survival of the Red Panda! To find out what YOU can do, please click on the link below to visit the Red Panda Project site!
