Red panda Facts
The red panda is a small mammal from the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, with reddish-brown fur, a black belly and legs, and a ringed tail.
- Class
- Mammal
- Scientific name
- Ailurus fulgens
- Conservation status
- Endangered (IUCN)
About the red panda
Head and body run 51 to 63.5 cm, plus a tail of 28 to 48.5 cm, and adults weigh 3.2 to 15 kg. Flexible joints and curved claws make it a skilled climber. It lives mostly alone and mostly in trees, in conifer and mixed forests on steep slopes with thick bamboo near water. Bamboo shoots and leaves are the main food, with fruit and blossoms on the side.
Scientists formally described the species in 1825. Despite the shared name, the giant panda is a bear and only a distant relative, though both animals have a false thumb for gripping bamboo. Its true kin are raccoons, weasels and skunks. Mating happens in early spring, and females have as many as four cubs in summer.
Did you know?
- Since 2015, the IUCN Red List has rated the red panda as endangered.
- The Himalayan and Chinese red pandas split genetically about 250,000 years ago.
- Another name for the red panda is the lesser panda.
Questions about the red panda
Is a red panda a bear?
No. Unlike the giant panda, the red panda is not a bear. Its closest relatives include raccoons, weasels and skunks.
What do red pandas eat?
Mainly bamboo shoots and leaves, plus fruits and blossoms.
Sources
- Wikidata Q41960, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Red panda, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.