Red Pandas

Red Pandas Pictures

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Red Pandas - History

There are two types of Pandas: the Giant Pandas and the Red Pandas. Panda bears appeared during the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene, no more than 2-3 million years ago. The first known written record on Red Pandas occurred in the 13th century. Europeans knew this species in 1821, when Thomas Hardwicke introduced it while mentioning the local name of the animal: "poonya," which was anglicized to "Panda."

Picture courtesy of
Northwest Outdoor Photography

Red Pandas - Taxonomy

Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Ursidae
Subfamily: Ailurinae
Genus: Ailurus
Species: Ailurus fulgens.

Red Pandas - Habits

Red Pandas are territorial animals and their home range varies from 0.9 to 1.1 sq. km. Red Pandas are solitary and crepuscular animals that are active at dusk, dawn and in the nighttime. They spend their daytime in their nests on the trees. Red Pandas are very flexible and move easily from branch to branch. They are able to feed both on the ground and on trees. The tail is used for balance while climbing the trees.

Red Pandas have often been observed licking their whole body, washing their faces with forepaws and rubbing their backs against trees and rocks. Red Pandas communicate with a series of short squeals and whistles. When frightened or angry Red Pandas give sharp hisses, just like cats, and often stand on their hind legs.