Red Panda

Scientific Name

• The scientific name for the red panda is Ailurus Fulgens. This means a reddish-brown raccoon-like carnivore; in some classifications considered unrelated to the giant pandas.
• The red panda is the only living species of the genus Ailurus and the family Ailuridae.

How do we know about the red panda?

• Surprisingly, red panda fossils have been discovered in North America that date as far back as 5 million years. Today, however, red pandas are only found in small, isolated mountain territories above 4,000 feet in China, Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Burma.
• The Red Panda was discovered about 48 years before the giant panda was discovered.

habitat

• The Red Panda is found inhabiting the temperate forests in the Himalayas at altitudes of between 1,800 and 4,000 meters.
• The high mountain slopes tend to be covered in hardwood forest with bamboo which is important to the Red Panda's survival.

niche

• They eat berries,bamboo,mushrooms,bark and some other things so they are herbivores
• Their predators are Snow leopards,Martens and humans.

adaptations

• They have an enlarged wrist bone located on each front paw, which serves as a "thumb." This "thumb" is useful for feeding because it allows the pandas to grasp andhold bamboo tightly.
• They have small body mass to help them walk on thin branchesmaking the panda inaccessible to heavier predators.

adaptations (continued)

• Also, they have large tails which are often used as a pillow and prevent heat loss. Their tails can also help them in maintaining balance. For instance, when standing on their hind legs, their tails act as a prop.
• They have strong,curved claws to help it climb up trees.

Vulnerable

• The Red Panda is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN which means they are likely to be endangered.
• This is due to habitat loss because of deforestation.
• There are fewer than 10,000 adult Red Pandas in the world and the number continues to decrease.

how can we help them to continue living?

• Plant more trees so that they have a place to live.
• Create awareness for the Red Pandas so that people are aware of what they might be doing to the animal.

fun facts

• Red panda is also known as "Fire Fox" because of its size and color of the fur. The upper side of the red panda is red and white. The legs and belly are black.
• Red panda can survive 7 to 8 years in the wild and up to 14 years in captivity.
• It could've been called the wah because of the sound it makes.

More fun facts

• The red panda eats 200,000 leaves of bamboo per day. Due to low caloric value of the leaves, red panda rests most of the day because it needs to conserve the energy.
• They aren't actually pandas. Red pandas form their own phylogenetic family, alongside skunks, raccoons, and mustelids.

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