What Is A Red Panda?

The red or lesser panda is a close relative of the giant panda, but it is a much smaller mammal with, not surprisingly, rich red fur.

The red panda is a member of the Ailuridae family and are widely distributed across Nepal and east to the Chinese province of Szechuan. It lives at high altitudes, between 1500 and 4000 metres above sea level.

It has very dense fur of a golden red on the back with dark brown on the underside and a long ringed tail. Its face is like a mask and this, in combination with the rings on its tail give it a likeness to the raccoon, but it is not a particularly close relative.

The panda has long whiskers which help it to forage for good at night, as it is mainly nocturnal. It eats a mainly vegetarian diet but will sometimes supplement its feeding with insects, birds' eggs, carrion and other animal food.