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Red Panda
The Red Panda can be kind of a strange name for something that isn’t even from the Ursidae (bear) family. It may also prove strange that the scientific name of this animal, Ailurus fulgens, means “shining cat” because this creature is also not a feline. Whatever a Red Panda may be it is for one thing a very intriguing species of animal. Whether it be the geographical location and habitat, physical description, feeding behaviors, or mating customs the Red Panda is truly incredible.
The Red Panda is endemic (specifically found) in the Himalayas, southern China, India, Laos, Nepal, and Burma. Red Panda is the even state animal in Sikkim, India. There are two subspecies of Red Panda, the Western Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) which lives in the western part of its range, and the somewhat larger Styan's Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens styani) that lives in the east-northeastern part of its range. Red Pandas are crepuscular, meaning they are only active at dawn and dusk. Some Red Panda live in the slopes of the south of the Himalayas, the mountainous forests of the southwest of China or any similar geographical layout within its range at altitudes of up between 1,800 to 4,800 meters. They are mostly sedentary during the day, resting in the branches of trees and in tree hollows and are active only in the afternoon and early in the morning. All is not at ease for the Red Panda though; they face rapid habitat fragmentation and are valued by the Chinese for their precious fur. In southwest China the Red Panda is hunted for especially its bushy tail from which hats are produced. This and the clearing of forests in these countries have significantly reduced the population. There are laws that protect these animals now that they are on the endangered species list as of 2004 certified by the IUCN. Although these laws are in place poaching continues and they are often illegally poached and sold to zoos.
Red Pandas are very...