Yesterday was Red Panda Day! As a species many of you may not know about, I thought I would share a few facts about this adorable animal to celebrate!
The Red Panda has a Species Survival Plan (SSP) in North America to ensure their population numbers. SSP programs use studbooks to manage specie goals and genetic variance determining which animals should breed in captivity. Other conservation programs have been established in Japan, Europe, Australia, and China. More than 80 zoos currently have Red Pandas. So go adore this amazing species and learn more about it at your local zoo.
Also check out this video that has gone viral of a red panda playing in the snow at the Cincinnati Zoo!
- Red Pandas are known as the "lesser panda" or the "first panda." Due to anatomical similarities of the pseudo thumb (used as a tool to eat bamboo), the Giant Panda was thought to be a relative.
- They have previously been classified in the bear family (Ursidae) and raccoon family (Procyonidae), but is now their own family called Ailuridae and has two subspecies.
- They can be found from western Nepal to northern Myanmar and at elevations between 4,900 and 13,000 feet.
- Their main diet consists of bamboo, and some insects during warm temperatures.
- Unlike the Giant Panda who will eat all parts of the bamboo, the Red Panda only eats the tender shoots and leaves.
- A thick fur coat covers their entire body including the soles of their feet to conserver warmth.
The Red Panda has a Species Survival Plan (SSP) in North America to ensure their population numbers. SSP programs use studbooks to manage specie goals and genetic variance determining which animals should breed in captivity. Other conservation programs have been established in Japan, Europe, Australia, and China. More than 80 zoos currently have Red Pandas. So go adore this amazing species and learn more about it at your local zoo.
Also check out this video that has gone viral of a red panda playing in the snow at the Cincinnati Zoo!