Meet the Red Panda

Red Panda Facts

• Red pandas live in the forests of the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China.
• Despite the name, they aren't closely related to giant pandas; they have their own family, Ailuridae.
• They were called "panda" first; the giant panda got the name later.
• They're about the size of a house cat, with a long ringed tail.
• They wrap their bushy tail around themselves like a blanket in the cold.
• Bamboo leaves are most of their diet, plus fruit, acorns and eggs.
• Like giant pandas, they have a "false thumb" for gripping bamboo.
• They spend most of their lives in trees and sleep on branches.
• They're listed as Endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.