Red Pandas

National Zoo

Red panda in the wild.

According to the World Wildlife Fund website it states red pandas are unique mammals that are also known as lesser pandas. They are not dangerous animals but they do have some aggressive tendencies. Red pandas have a shy and sweet temperament.

Red pandas are related to skunks, raccoons and weasels. They are known for their dense reddish brown fur and black belly. Red pandas live in temperate forests with bamboo in the Himalayas and other high mountains. Red pandas are solitary animals except when it comes to the breeding season which lasts through January to March.

They usually live for 23 years and start showing symptoms of old age when they are 12 or 14 years old. They socialize or exchange information using scent glands and visual cues like stare downs, head bobbing and different calls. Some of their calls are twittering, a huff-quack, hissing and grunting. Cubs will sometimes whistle or use a high pitch beat when they are stressed.

However, red pandas rely on scent making rather than vocalization, to communicate. Red pandas are bamboo eaters so they are on a tight energy budget but they also gather roots, succulent grasses, fruits, insects, and grubs they sometimes kill and eat birds and small mammals.

According to the National Zoo website it states, Red pandas are endangered because of habitat loss, degradation, human interference and poaching. Red panda primary predators are snow leopards and matter. Cubs are most likely to be hunted by birds and other small carnivores. Red pandas are legally protected in India, Bhutan, China, Nepal, and Myanmar. Researchers believe that the total number of red pandas has declined by 40 percent over the past two decades. Red pandas are skilled climbers, using trees for shelters to escape predators. Their ankles are extremely flexible, helping them climb trees when it’s difficult. Red pandas have two layers of fur to help cover them in the cold. Red pandas defend themselves by standing on their hind legs so they can appear bigger or more threatened. They also make loud noises and use their sharp claws or release a foul smell from their scent gland.

In conclusion, red pandas are an endangered species because of habitat loss. If you want to help red pandas and donate, you can visit the Red Panda Network.