Ailurus fulgens
Range
Red Pandas are found in the foothills of the Himalayas and mountain areas of China and Burma.
Habitat
They live in temperate forests between 5,000 and 13,000 feet.
Body Traits
Red Pandas look like red-furred raccoons with a similar body size and shape and fluffy, ringed tail. They weigh from 7 -12 pounds and are about 3.5 feet long including their tail.
Habits
The red panda is most active in the early morning and late afternoon spending most of the day resting in trees conserving their energy as their bamboo diet has a low energy content.
Diet
Although they are classed as a carnivore, red pandas eat mainly bamboo shoots, grass and fruit. They do sometimes eat eggs, insects or small animals.
Predators
The main predator is the snow leopard.
Reproduction
Red pandas live alone but come together to mate. Females are pregnant for 3 months (gestation) having 1-3 cubs every spring.
Lifespan and/or Conservation Status
Red pandas can live up to 14 years in captivity, but it is not known how long they live in the wild. They are endangered.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Ailuridae
Genus: Ailurus
Species: Ailurus fulgens