Ten Facts about the Red Panda That Makes It Special - Google Arts & Culture (2024)

FAQs

Why are red pandas special? ›

Unique. The red panda is the original panda, discovered some 50 years before the giant panda! They are a carnivore that has adapted to eating almost exclusively bamboo. Red pandas are the only species remaining in their taxonomic family — a living relic of the past.

The belief that red pandas and/or their fur are good luck talismans can be found in other parts of the red panda's range, for example, red panda tails were formerly used as good luck charms by some of the tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh (Dwaipayan Banerjee, personal communication) and it is considered an omen of ...

While Turning Red features its own intricate meaning, red pandas themselves don't play a major role in real Chinese mythology.

There are estimated to be around 2500 to 10,000 red pandas left in the wild, worldwide! This makes the red panda classified as an endangered species.

Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation are major threats to wild red pandas. Poaching is also one of the threats to this species, as red pandas are killed for food, medicine, pet trade and their distinctive red fur.

With its brilliant cinnamon-red coat, jet black legs, a fuzzy ringed tail, and round, kitten-like face, the red panda is easily one of cutest animals in the wild. Also called red cat bear, lesser panda, and firefox, its scientific name Ailurus fulgens translates to fire-coloured cat, or just fire cat.

“Red pandas are very curious, smart and playful animals. Being able to work with them is just amazing. They are fun to watch move the enclosure, over logs, ropes, ladders and tree branches.

Lifespan: Red pandas may live as long as 23 years. They show symptoms of age at around 12 to 14 years old. Gestation: 1-4 cubs are born after 135 day gestation period. Diet: Mostly Bamboo but will also eat roots, berries, eggs, and acorns.

Red pandas can be easily identified by their unique ruddy coat color, which acts like camouflage within the canopy of fir trees where branches are covered with clumps of reddish-brown moss and white lichens. They have large, round heads and short snouts with big, pointed ears.

After a gestation period of 90 to 145 days, the female gives birth to a litter of one to four, usually one or two young.

Are red pandas special? ›

Red pandas are the only living creatures in their family - Ailuridae. Actually, their taxonomic position has long been a subject of scientific debate. They were firstly classified in the raccoon family and then the bear family. Most recent genetic research, however, places red pandas in their own, independent family.

Red pandas were first described in 1825 as members of the raccoon family, because they have similar skulls, teeth and ringed tails. Later, DNA analysis suggested that red pandas might belong in the bear family. However, later genetic research placed red pandas in their own family: Ailuridae.

Food/Eating Habits

Because red pandas are obligate bamboo eaters, they are on a tight energy budget for much of the year. They may also forage for roots, succulent grasses, fruits, insects and grubs, and are known to occasionally kill and eat birds and small mammals.

Red pandas belong to the order Carnivora, but this has more to do with their biological classification than their actual diet. In reality they rarely eat meat, instead using their powerful molars to grind through up to four pounds of bamboo a day. They also sometimes eat fruit, acorns, roots, eggs, rodents, and birds.