Nepal
Red Panda
Meet the red panda! This shy, tree-loving mammal has rust-colored fur and a bushy striped tail, and lives in cool mountain forests across the Himalayas.
Why is it special?
Despite its name, the red panda isn't closely related to the giant panda.
It has rust-colored fur, a masked face, and a long fluffy tail for balance.
How does it live?
Red pandas spend most of their time up in trees, using their ringed tails for balance.
They mostly munch on bamboo leaves and shoots, plus fruit and insects.
Amazing facts
Red pandas use their bushy tails like a blanket to stay warm while they sleep.
They have a false "thumb" - an extra wrist bone - that helps them grip bamboo, just like giant pandas.
Quick facts
- Red pandas use their bushy tails like a blanket to stay warm while they sleep.
- They have a false "thumb" - an extra wrist bone - that helps them grip bamboo, just like giant pandas.
- Red pandas are mostly active at dawn and dusk, and sleep curled up in trees during the day.
- A red panda's diet is mostly bamboo, but they also eat fruit, insects, and eggs.