Red panda

Red pandas are small, tree-dwelling mammals native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. Despite their name, they are not closely related to giant pandas. Here’s a quick overview:

🐾 Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) Overview:
• Size: About the size of a domestic cat, with a body length of 50–64 cm (20–25 in) and a tail about 28–59 cm (11–23 in).
• Weight: 3–6.2 kg (7–14 lbs).
• Habitat: Temperate forests with dense bamboo understories at elevations between 2,200 and 4,800 meters (7,200–15,700 ft).
• Diet: Primarily bamboo, but also eats fruit, berries, insects, bird eggs, and small mammals.
• Behavior: Mostly solitary and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
• Lifespan: Around 8–10 years in the wild, up to 15 years in captivity.
• Conservation Status: Endangered – threats include habitat loss, poaching, and inbreeding depression.

🧬 Fun Fact:

Red pandas are the only living member of the family Ailuridae, and they share traits with both bears and raccoons, but are a unique evolutionary branch.