In the wild Red Pandas (Ailurus fulgens) can be found at altitudes of 3,000-12,000 ft. in temperate Himalayan forests in areas of dense bamboo growth. They are solitary animals that sleep by day and are mainly nocturnal. Like the giant panda, the red panda has a sixth digit near the wrist that aids the animal in eating. The long, bushy tail has rings of red and yellow. The Red Panda feeds primarily on bamboo although they will sometimes eat seed, berries, fruit and the occasional small mammal.

Is it a Raccoon? Is it a Bear?

In the past scientists and zoologists have classified this animal in (at one time or another) both the raccoon family and the bear family. While fossil studies most closely identify the Red Pandas ancestors with that of Raccoons it is now classified in its own family, "Ailuridae" in the order "carnivore". The Red Panda may very well be the link between raccoon and bear as the closest relative is the Giant Panda. The Giant Panda is classified as a true bear. The Red Panda is a solitary animal except during the time when the female raises her young; a Red Panda litter can consist of 1-4 young and are weaned in about 12 months. Red Pandas spend most of their time in trees eating bamboo leaves up to 200,000 leaves a day.

Endangered Species

There are currently many animals on the endangered species list and the Red Panda has been on this list for decades. Currently these mammals can be found in the wild in the Asian countries of Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar and Nepal with numbers still in the decline. The main sources of the Red Pandas falling numbers are mainly human related. With great deforestation taking away their primary source of food. The Red Panda is also hunted for its fur which is often used in China to create warm hats as gifts for newlyweds as a symbol of a happy marriage.