Red panda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red panda |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ailurus
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| Species: |
fulgens
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| Subspecies | |
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A. f. fulgens F. Cuvier, 1825 |
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| Range of the red panda | |
The red panda (Ailurus fulgens), also known as the lesser panda, is a small mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It has dense reddish-brown fur with a black belly and legs, white-lined ears, a mostly white muzzle and a ringed tail. Its head-to-body length is 51–63.5 cm (20.1–25.0 in) with a 28–48.5 cm (11.0–19.1 in) tail, and it weighs between 3.2 and 15 kg (7.1 and 33.1 lb). It is well adapted to climbing due to its flexible joints and curved semi-retractile claws.
The species has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2015. It is protected in all range countries.
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Etymology
The origin of the name panda is uncertain. One of the most likely theories is that it derived from the Nepali word "ponya", which means "ball of the foot" and "claws". The Nepali words "nigalya ponya" has been translated as "bamboo footed" and is thought to be the red panda's Nepali name; in English, it was simply called panda, and was the only animal known under this name for more than 40 years; it became known as the red panda or lesser panda to distinguish it from the giant panda, which was formally described and named in 1869.
Description
The red panda's coat is mainly red or orange-brown with a black belly and legs. The muzzle, cheeks, brows and inner ear margins are mostly white while the bushy tail has red and buff ring patterns and a dark brown tip. It has moderately long whiskers around the mouth, lower jaw and chin.
The animal has a head-body length of 51–63.5 cm (20.1–25.0 in) with a 28–48.5 cm (11.0–19.1 in) tail. The Himalayan red panda is recorded to weigh 3.2–9.4 kg (7.1–20.7 lb), while the Chinese red panda weighs 4–15 kg (8.8–33.1 lb) for females and 4.2–13.4 kg (9.3–29.5 lb) for males. It has five curved digits on each foot, each with curved semi-retractile claws that aid in climbing.
The forepaws possess a "false thumb", which is an extension of a wrist bone. This thumb allows the animal to grip onto bamboo stalks, and both the digits and wrist bones are highly flexible.
Distribution and habitat
The red panda inhabits Nepal, the states of Sikkim, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh in India, Bhutan, southern Tibet, northern Myanmar and China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. The global potential habitat of the red panda has been estimated to comprise 47,100 km2 (18,200 sq mi) at most; this habitat is located in the temperate climate zone of the Himalayas with a mean annual temperature range of 18–24 °C (64–75 °F). Throughout this range, it has been recorded at elevations of 2,000–4,300 m (6,600–14,100 ft).
| Country | Estimated size |
|---|---|
| Nepal | 22,400 km2 (8,600 sq mi) |
| China | 13,100 km2 (5,100 sq mi) |
| India | 5,700 km2 (2,200 sq mi) |
| Myanmar | 5,000 km2 (1,900 sq mi) |
| Bhutan | 900 km2 (350 sq mi) |
| Total | 47,100 km2 (18,200 sq mi) |
The red panda inhabits coniferous forests as well as temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, favouring steep slopes with dense bamboo cover close to water sources. It is solitary and largely arboreal.
Behaviour and ecology
The red panda is difficult to observe in the wild, and most studies on its behaviour have taken place in captivity. The red panda appears to be both nocturnal and crepuscular, sleeping in between periods of activity at night. It typically rests or sleeps in trees or other elevated spaces, stretched out prone on a branch with legs dangling when it is hot, and curled up with its hindlimb over the face when it is cold. It is adapted for climbing and descends to the ground head-first with the hindfeet holding on to the middle of the tree trunk. It moves quickly on the ground by trotting or bounding.
Social spacing
Adult pandas are generally solitary and territorial. Individuals mark their home range or territorial boundaries with urine, faeces and secretions from the anal and surrounding glands. Scent-marking is usually done on the ground, with males marking more often and for longer periods.
Diet and feeding
The red panda feeds primarily on bamboo. It also feeds on fruits, blossoms, acorns, eggs, birds and small mammals. Bamboo leaves may be the most abundant food item year-round and the only food they can access during winter.
The red panda grabs food with one of its front paws and usually eats sitting down or standing. It eats over 1.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz) of fresh leaves or 4 kg (9 lb) of fresh shoots in a day.
Communication
At least seven different vocalisations have been recorded from the red panda, comprising growls, barks, squeals, hoots, bleats, grunts and twitters. Growling, barking, grunting and squealing are produced during fights and aggressive chasing. Hooting is made in response to being approached by another individual. Bleating is associated with scent-marking and sniffing. Males may bleat during mating, while females twitter. During both play fighting and aggressive fighting, individuals curve their backs and tails while slowly moving their heads up and down. They then turn their heads while jaw-clapping, move their heads laterally and lift a forepaw to strike. They stand on their hind legs, raise the forelimbs above the head and then pounce. Two red pandas may "stare" at each other from a distance.
Reproduction and parenting
Mating takes place from January to March, with births occurring from May to August.
Prior to giving birth, the female selects a denning site, such as a tree, log or stump hollow or rock crevice, and builds a nest using material from nearby, such as twigs, sticks, branches, bark bits, leaves, grass and moss. Litters typically consist of one to four cubs that are born fully furred but blind. They are entirely dependent on their mother for the first three to four months until they first leave the nest. They nurse for their first five months. Cubs are fully grown at around 12 months and at around 18 months they reach sexual maturity.
Mortality and diseases
The red panda's lifespan in captivity reaches 14 years. They have been recorded falling prey to leopards in the wild. Red pandas are often infected by parasits, such as protozoa, amoebozoans, roundworms, trematodes and tapeworms.
Threats
The red panda is primarily threatened by the destruction. The causes include increasing human population, deforestation, the unlawful taking of non-wood forest material and disturbances by herders and livestock. Trampling by livestock inhibits bamboo growth, and clearcutting decreases the ability of some bamboo species to regenerate.
Poaching is also a major threat. In southwestern China, the red panda is hunted for its fur, especially for the highly valued bushy tails, from which hats are produced. The red panda population in China has been reported to have decreased by 40 per cent over the last 50 years, and the population in western Himalayan areas are considered to be smaller.
Conservation
The red panda is listed in CITES Appendix I and protected in all range countries; hunting is illegal. It has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2008 because the global population is estimated at 10,000 individuals, with a decreasing population trend. A large extent of its habitat is part of protected areas.
| Country | Protected areas |
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| Nepal | Api Nampa Conservation Area, Khaptad National Park, Rara National Park, Annapurna Conservation Area, Manaslu Conservation Area, Langtang National Park, Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Sagarmatha National Park, Makalu Barun National Park, Kanchenjunga Conservation Area |
| India | Khangchendzonga National Park, Singalila National Park, Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Namdapha National Park |
| Bhutan | Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve, Jigme Dorji National Park, Wangchuck Centennial National Park, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Phrumsengla National Park, Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Myanmar | Hkakaborazi National Park, Hponkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary, Imawbum National Park |
| China | Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon Nature Reserve in Tibet, Wolong National Nature Reserve, Fengtongzhai and Yele National Nature Reserves, Dafengding Nature Reserve and Giant Panda National Park in Sichuan, Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve in Yunnan |
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Interesting facts about the red panda
- The animal can walk in snow due to the hair on the soles of its paws.
- Its colouration appears to serve as camouflage in habitat with red moss and white lichen-covered trees.
- The digestive system of the red panda is only 4.2 times its body length.
- In China, hats made of red panda tails are used by local newlyweds as a "good-luck charm".
- By the end of 2019, 182 European zoos kept 407 red pandas.
See also
In Spanish: Panda rojo para niños
