There are a few mammals that exhibit some degree of red coloration. However, when people think of a “red” mammal, the animal that likely first comes to mind is the red panda. Red pandas have reddish-brown fur, a fox-like face, and a long, bushy tail. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the natural history of the red panda and examine why it has a reddish coat.
Taxonomy
The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is the only living member of the taxonomic family Ailuridae. It is native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. For many years, scientists were unsure of the red panda’s phylogenetic relationships to other mammals. Early taxonomists classified it in the raccoon and bear families. However, we now know based on molecular data that the red panda’s closest relatives are the weasel family (Mustelidae) and the skunk family (Mephitidae). The giant panda, despite having a similar name, is not closely related to the red panda.
Physical Description
So what makes the red panda appear red? The reddish color comes from two pigments: pheomelanin, which produces red and yellow colors, and eumelanin, which produces brown and black colors. Red pandas have thick, soft fur that is deep red to chestnut red in color. Their underside and face are white with reddish stripes. Adults can grow up to 24 inches long and weigh up to 15 pounds. They have partly retractable claws like a cat, an adaptation for climbing trees. Red pandas have long, bushy tails with 6 alternating red and white rings. The tail may act as a camouflage against predators.
Habitat
Red pandas live in remote mountain forests of the Himalayas at elevations between 6,000-12,000 feet. Their range extends across Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, and China. They prefer forests with a dense understory of bamboo and coniferous and deciduous trees. Red pandas spend most of their time in trees. They are very skillful climbers and can quickly scamper up tree trunks and through branches. Red pandas descend to the forest floor to look for fallen fruit and bamboo shoots.
| Location | Estimated Population |
|---|---|
| China | 2,500-3,000 |
| India | 8,000-10,000 |
| Nepal | 500-1,000 |
| Bhutan | 500-1,000 |
| Myanmar | Below 200 |
Across their range, it is estimated there are fewer than 10,000 red pandas left in the wild. Habitat loss and fragmentation present the biggest threat to their survival. Red pandas are now endangered and populations continue to decline. Several conservation programs are underway to protect remaining red panda habitat.
Diet
Red pandas have a taste for bamboo but, unlike giant pandas, it is not their sole food source. Bamboo comprises up to two-thirds of their diet. They prefer to eat the more nutritious leaves and shoots of young bamboo. Red pandas also eat fruits, acorns, roots, and eggs. Their strong sense of smell helps them sniff out fruit and acorns. They have undersized thumb “pseudothumbs” that are useful gripping bamboo stems. Red pandas eat mostly in the morning and evening hours and sleep or rest during much of the day.
Behavior
Red pandas are solitary animals and are primarily active at dawn and dusk (crepuscular). They are very territorial and use scent secretions, scratch marks, and calls to define their territory. Red pandas are generally quiet but will let out a whistling or chirping sound when defending territory or during the breeding season. They also emit a loud screech or bleat when alarmed. Red pandas spend a fair amount of time on the ground but can quickly scurry up a tree when feeling threatened. Main predators include snow leopards, martens, and birds of prey.
Reproduction
The red panda breeding season lasts from mid-January to early March. After a gestation period around 134 days, the female gives birth to a litter of 1 to 4 cubs. Newborn cubs weigh 110 to 130 grams. The cubs remain in the nest for about 90 days before venturing out on their own. They reach adult size at around 12 months old and become sexually mature from 18 to 20 months old. Red pandas can live up to 14 years in the wild.
Threats and Conservation Status
Two main threats endanger wild red panda populations: habitat loss/fragmentation and poaching. Expanding human development and agriculture reduce and break up their forest habitat. Red pandas are poached for their thick, bushy tails, which are highly valued as hats and other status symbols in some Asian cultures. They are also accidentally killed in snares meant to trap other animals. As few as 2,500 red pandas may remain in the wild. The IUCN Red List classifies the red panda as Endangered. Protected areas have been established and anti-poaching measures stepped up. But their specialized habitat and sparse distribution makes conservation a challenge.
Interesting Facts
- Red pandas can rotate their ankles and wrists to aid climbing and grasping.
- They wrap their large, bushy tails around themselves to stay warm in winter.
- Red pandas spend over 60% of daylight hours feeding and foraging.
- Newborn red pandas are deaf and blind and their eyes open at around 18 days.
- Red pandas are proficient climbers but slow and clumsy on the ground.
Conclusion
The red panda’s reddish-brown fur and foxy face endear it to many wildlife enthusiasts. As human activities continue eroding its specialized high-altitude habitat, the survival of the red panda grows more precarious. Conservationists are working to better protect this unique endangered species. But its future existence will ultimately depend on preserving large forest ecosystems across its range in the eastern Himalayas.
