All About the Red Panda: The Red Cat Bear

Leave a comment / / Updated on: 11th November 2023

NameRed PandaDietHerbivorous
Scientific nameAilurus fulgensWeight4 to 15 kilograms (8.8 to 33 pounds)
Pronunciationred pan-duhLength51 to 63.5 centimeters (20.1 to 25.0 inches)
ClassificationMammalia, Carnivora, & AiluridaeLocationNepal, China (Asia) 

The Red Panda

red panda
A red panda eating | Freder via Getty Images

Everyone is familiar with the big, cuddly black and white bear commonly referred to as a panda. 

But the animal that rightly owns that name isn’t even a bear. 

The red panda is the “true” panda and probably the only panda that exists. 

This reddish-brown, raccoon-like animal is native to southwestern China and was named “panda” long before the giant panda got the nickname. 

The name “panda” translates to “bamboo eater,” referring to the unique diet of this strange carnivore. 

Gage Beasley's In-Demand Plush Toys
Gage Beasley’s In-Demand Plush Toys

The name is fitting since both pandas apparently share a love for bamboo despite being unrelated.

The red panda is also commonly referred to as the lesser panda or the red cat-bear. 

Red pandas are famous for their adorable looks.

However, there’s more to this elusive Himalayan native than its cute kitten-like face and striking appearance. 

This article will explore all the fascinating details about the red panda, including their habitat, behavior, conservation status, and unique adaptations. 

Taxonomy and Classification

red panda
Gage Beasley’s Lifelike Red Panda Soft Stuffed Plush Toy

Red panda is the common name for Ailurus fulgens — a reddish-brown raccoon-like mammal native to Asia. 

There are currently two subspecies of the red panda: the Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) and the Chinese red panda (A. fulgens styani). 

However, recent DNA evidence suggests that these two subspecies are distinct enough to be classified as separate species in the Ailurus genus. 

The red panda was once considered to be closely related to the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). 

But while the black and white panda is a type of bear (family Ursidae), the red panda is the last surviving member of the family Ailuridae.

It is also more closely related to raccoons, skunks, and weasels than it is to the giant panda. 

red panda
Red panda sneaking through the woods | rusm via Getty Images

But they all belong to the order Carnivora, along with other “flesh-eating” mammals. 

As for which of them is the “true panda,” the red panda was discovered and named in 1825. 

The more popular panda was described in 1869, more than 40 years after, but was given the name panda because both species had similar feeding habitats. 

The red panda family (Ailuiridae) evolved about 25 to 18 million years ago, as evidenced by the discovery of fossil relatives in North America and Eurasia. 

The two recognized subspecies of red pandas diverged relatively recently (about 250,000 years ago). 

Physical Characteristics

red panda
Red panda in the forest eating bamboo leaves | Zocha_K via Getty Images

The red panda is a relatively small mammal, about the same size as a domestic cat.

It has a stocky build with a low-slung body. 

Although significantly smaller than typical bears, the red panda has a bear-like body with thick fur. 

The panda’s coat includes a layer of long, rough guard hairs and an undercoat of dense, fluffy hair. 

The red panda’s face looks superficially similar to that of a raccoon. 

It has a small head with a reduced snout. 

The ears are short but prominent with a distinct triangular shape. 

Red pandas also have moderately long cat-like whiskers around their mouth and chin. 

The two red panda subspecies differ slightly in their overall size and appearance. 

As the name suggests, red pandas have reddish-brown fur, but they have white fur on their underbelly, face, and underside of their limbs.

red panda
A closeup of a Red Panda resting on a tree | Wirestock via Getty Images

The thick fur provides insulation in the cold mountainous environment where they’re typically found. 

They also have a light mask-like marking around their eyes, similar to that of raccoons. 

This is believed to be an adaptation to reduce glare from the sun. 

Red pandas have white rings on the tips of their tails.

The Chinese red panda is bigger and has a redder face compared to the Himalayan red panda’s lightly colored fur. 

The tail rings of the Chinese red panda are also more prominent. 

The average head-body length of both subspecies is between 51 and 63.5 centimeters (20.1–25.0 inches). 

Red pandas have a long, flexible tail that measures about 28 to 48.5 centimeters (11.0 to 19.1 inches) long. 

The bigger Chinese red panda weighs between four and 15 kilograms (8.8 to 33 lbs), while the Himalayan spider weighs between 3.2 and 9.4 kilograms (7.1 to 20.7 pounds). 

Female red pandas are generally bigger than males. 

Habitat and Distribution


Red pandas are primarily found in the Himalayas, with a patchy range that covers Nepal, India, Bhutan, Southern Tibet, and West Bengal. 

This forms almost 50% of their habitat. 

They also live in southwestern China, particularly in the Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet autonomous regions.

In places where they’re found, red pandas inhabit temperate broadleaf and coniferous forests. 

The two subspecies have slightly different ranges. 

The Himalayan red panda is mainly found in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Myanmar, while the Chinese red panda is primarily found in China. 

These forests are characterized by a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees.

red panda
Red panda resting on a tree branch | Freder via Getty Images

They live in mountainous regions with an elevation of  2,000 to 4,300 meters (6,600 to 14,100 feet) above sea level.

The temperature in these regions may drop as low as 18 to 24 °C (64 to 75 °F), but the red panda’s thick fur makes it well adapted to survive in such conditions. 

Red pandas prefer habitats with numerous fallen logs, tree stumps, and access to fresh water. 

They are adept climbers but spend a lot of their time on the ground in the understory of forests, among dense vegetation and bamboo thickets.

Bamboo makes up a significant portion of their diet, and they are often associated with areas where bamboo grows abundantly.

Red pandas use rock crevices, tree hollows, and other sheltered locations as resting and den sites.

Behavior and Social Structure

red panda
A tree dweller it is, this red panda! | AB Photography via Getty Images

Red pandas are acrobatic tree dwellers.

They live in habitats with sufficient tree cover, and they often climb into the forest canopy to sunbathe or to avoid predators such as snow leopards. 

Their front paws have five digits, including a specialized “false thumb” formed from an extension of the wrist bone.

This false thumb and their flexible wrists are effective for gripping tree branches, which makes them agile climbers. 

They also use their thumb to hold bamboo shoots and manipulate objects. 

This is a feature they share with the giant panda. 

To descend from trees, red pandas climb down slowly, headfirst, while gripping the tree trunk with their claws. 

They are among the few animals that can climb down from trees headfirst like this. 

red panda
A red panda climbs down a tree and makes it look so easy. | VEX Collective via Getty Images

The red panda’s tail is also quite flexible, which aids in its acrobatic moves. 

It can swing its tail in one direction while leaning in the other direction. 

Red pandas are reclusive animals, which makes it challenging to study some of their behaviors in the wild. 

They are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night and in the early hours of the morning.

This habit helps them avoid predators and compete less with other species for resources during the day.

Red pandas spend their daytime resting or sleeping in rock crevices, tree hollows, and other shaded locations. 

It may also climb into trees or other elevated spaces where it lies stretched out on a branch with legs dangling. 

During cold periods, the panda may also curl up with its hindlimb over its face and enter into a state of reduced metabolism to conserve body heat. 

red panda
Red panda sleeping on a tree branch | SneSivan via Getty Images

They are non-migratory animals but may move around within their established territories for food and mates.

Red pandas are solitary animals. 

They generally avoid other individuals except during the breeding season. 

When they counter others, red pandas communicate by arching their tails and bobbing their heads. 

They may also squeal, make a loud “huff-quack” sound, or bark when alarmed. 

Red pandas also communicate by leaving scent marks.

The scent, produced by glands at the base of their tail, is odorless to humans but pungent to other pandas. 

Diet and Feeding

red panda
Red panda in the forest eating bamboo leaves | Zocha_K via Getty Images

Red pandas belong to the order Carnivora. 

But while they’re classified as carnivores and have cat-like dentition, red pandas are actually herbivores. 

They are among the few animals that feed on tough bamboo plants. 

Bamboo is poor in nutrients and difficult to digest. 

Consequently, red bamboos need to eat about 20 to 30% of their body weight daily, and they only digest about 24% of whatever they eat. 

A red panda individual eats about one to two kilograms of bamboo shoots and leaves. 

Red pandas live in mountainsides with abundant bamboo trees, and they’re typically the only animals feeding on this low-calorie plant.  

red panda
How does the bamboo taste, red panda? | dangdumrong via Getty Images

The lack of competition means there’s almost always sufficient food for the red panda. 

They’re very selective and will only eat just one or two species of bamboo, even in places with up to 40 types of bamboo. 

They select only the most nutritious bamboo for their meals. 

Their diet may vary slightly between seasons. 

During spring, they mainly eat bamboo stalks, while they eat fruit during the summer season. 

Red pandas may occasionally prey on small rodents and birds or eat eggs when other food sources are scarce. 

Reproduction and Life Cycle

red panda
Red panda ensnares a female | Nicki1982 via Getty Images

Red pandas are solitary animals with a range that may cover areas of up to 1.73 square kilometers (0.67 square miles) 

Consequently, interactions with other red pandas are typically limited to the breeding season, which occurs during the winter and spring months.

In winter, male pandas start moving around in search of suitable mates. 

When a male finds a female, he follows her around until mating occurs. 

Females are only receptive for a short 24 to 48-hour window, and the chances of copulation depend on the male being around during this period. 

Interactions between males and females may include courtship displays such as vocalizations and scent marking. 

After mating, the gestation period may last for about 131 days. 

Juvenile red panda | kata716 via Getty Images

Female red pandas give birth to one to four cubs per litter, but twin births are more common. 

The cubs are born in a den or any other sheltered location. 

The cubs are born fully-furred, but their eyes are closed. 

Red panda cubs remain in the nest for three to four months. 

During this period, they’re entirely dependent on their mother for food. 

The cubs are weaned at about five months old but may remain with the mother till the next mating season. 

Red pandas attain sexual maturity at about 18 months and may live as long as 14 years, the maximum recorded in captivity.

Ecological Role and Interactions

Red panda and bamboo plants—a match made in heaven | fototrav via Getty Images

Red pandas are primarily herbivores, and their diet is made up almost entirely of bamboo plants. 

Their feeding activities influence the abundance and distribution of bamboo species and other plant communities within their habitat. 

That’s because bamboo is a foundation plant that supports several other plant and animal species. 

The plant grows quickly and spreads very fast. 

The feeding activities of red pandas help to keep bamboo forests from overgrowing, which may affect the balance of the overall forest ecosystems where they live. 

Red pandas may also aid in the dispersal of plant seeds unintentionally. 

They eat fruits and excrete seeds elsewhere, contributing to the regeneration and spread of plant species. 

Conservation Status and Threats

Just enjoying some bamboo leaves | Zocha_K via Getty Images

The population of red pandas worldwide is down to about 10,000 individuals. 

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, this number is currently decreasing, and red pandas are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. 

Although most of the red panda’s typical habitat lies within protected areas, the species still faces significant threats. 

One of the main threats red pandas face is habitat loss and fragmentation due to human activities. 

Red pandas depend on bamboo forests, which are threatened by illegal deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development. 

Climate change is also altering the temperature and precipitation patterns needed for the growth and sustenance of bamboo forests. 

Red pandas also face direct threats from humans in terms of hunting and poaching. 

Red panda fur is highly valued on the black market, and their body parts are sometimes used in traditional medicines. 

The bushy tail of the red panda is particularly valued for its use in producing hats. 

In places where these species are found, governments have established protected areas and created laws to protect them. 

Despite these efforts, red panda remains at risk, and more must be done to secure its future. 

Unique Adaptations and Survival Strategies

Red panda walking on a tree branch | T-Fujishima via Getty Images

Red pandas are acrobatic mammals. 

One of the adaptations that makes this possible is their false thumb, formed by an extension of their wrist bone. 

This acts as an opposable thumb that makes it possible to grasp and manipulate tree branches with great dexterity. 

The red panda’s prehensile tail enables them to move effortlessly in trees. 

These climbing skills are essential for escaping predators, reaching food sources, and accessing shelter in trees. 

The red panda’s reddish-brown fur is another adaptation for avoiding predators. 

It serves as a form of camouflage, which helps them blend in with the reddish moss and white lichen-covered trees that are abundant in their environment. 

This makes it difficult for predators to spot them. 

Cultural Significance and Human Interactions

Red panda superpowers? | Vronja_Photon via Getty Images

The red panda is native to Asia, and many native cultures recognize them. 

In Nepalese folklore, for instance, the red panda is believed to possess supernatural abilities. 

Consequently, native people hunt this animal for its claws, skin, and other body parts, which are often used in rituals for treating a wide range of illnesses. 

The skin and fur of the red panda are also used to make dresses and hats or worn as good luck charms. 

These activities contributed to the decline of this rare and elusive species in the past. 

In some places, the red panda has been adopted as a national symbol or official emblem. 

A drawing of this animal was included in a 13th-century Chinese scroll.

In more recent times, it has been featured on stamps, coins, and other official emblems of several states within their native region. 

One of the most interesting elements of this species’ identity is the controversy of its name.

Although it is commonly referred to as the lesser panda due to its size, the red panda is actually the first and only panda species. 

The great panda is named after it, and both species are unrelated.

Future Prospects and Research

Red panda eating fresh bamboo leaves | dropStock via Getty Images

Many conservation organizations and governments in countries where red pandas are found are actively involved in research and other initiatives to protect the species and their habitat. 

Part of such efforts include genetic research and the establishment of captive breeding programs to ensure genetic diversity and the survival of the species. 

Genetic research will help determine if certain populations are genetically unique and need specific conservation measures.

For instance, DNA studies recently revealed that the two subspecies of red pandas may be two separate species within the genus. 

Direct observational studies are also needed to understand the behavior and habits of red pandas better. 

Because the species tend to be elusive in the wild, most of what we know about them is based on observation of species in captivity, which may not capture the full extent of their behavior, activity patterns, and habitat use. 

Having more accurate information regarding this will help with the design of better conservation strategies to protect red pandas and their ecosystems. 

Conclusion

The red panda is a cat-sized mammal native to Nepal, China, and surrounding regions.

It lives in bamboo forests and other wooded areas in the region, where it mainly feeds on bamboo plants. 

Despite some of its similarities to the giant panda, the red panda is not related to it or any of the other big bears.  

This skillful and acrobatic animal spends most of its time foraging high on trees or in the understory. 

They feed actively on bamboo plants and play an active role in regulating the abundance and distribution of bamboo plants within their habitats. 

Unfortunately, the species is currently listed as endangered, with less than 10,000 individuals living in isolated populations in parts of Asia. 

Sources:

About The Author

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Gage Beasley Wildlife | The Animal Kingdom Compendium

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Scroll to Top