Red Panda

Habitat

Native to the eastern Himalayas and south western China, where they live in forests.

Wild Diet

They feed almost exclusively on bamboo. A female can eat approximately 200,000 bamboo leaves a day. They may also eat eggs, birds and insects.

Behaviour

They are solitary animals who are active at night. Red Pandas mark their territory using scent from glands located on the soles of their feet.

Breeding

The female has 1-2 young after a gestation period of 90-150 days. The longer period is when the fertile egg lies dormant. The young stay with the mother until they are 1 year old.

Threats

Red pandas are rare in the wild and their numbers are continuing to decline. This animal is already extinct in 4 of the 7 Chinese provinces. Reasons for this decline in numbers include poaching for fur and pet trades, competition from domestic livestock loss and fragmentation of habitat through deforestation. They are also hunted by their natural predators including the majestic snow leopard.