Red Pandas (Ailurus fulgens & A. styani) Fact Sheet: Summary

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia - mammals

Order: Carnivora - carnivores

Family: Ailuridae

Genus: Ailurus

Species: Ailurus fulgens — Himalayan red panda

Species: Ailurus styani — Chinese red panda

Body Weight
3.7-6.2 kg (~8-14 lb)

Body Length
56-62 cm (~22-24 in)

Tail Length
28-49 cm (~11-19 in)

Pelage
Back and tail reddish. Feet, legs, and underside dark. Striped, bushy tail. White on cheeks and around nose.

Range
Southern Asia: Himalayan Mountains, Nepal, India, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar

Habitat
Temperate and sub-tropical forests; mixed deciduous-coniferous tree species

IUCN Status
Endangered (2015 assessment)

CITES Appendix
Appendix I

Population in Wild
Difficult to estimate.
10,000 individuals estimated, although some estimates suggest as few as 2,500.

Locomotion
Gait is bear-like. Agile; special adaptations for climbing trees.

Activity Cycle
Diurnal, crepuscular, and/or nocturnal. Daily activity includes periods of resting interspersed with feeding. Seasonally most active during summer.

Social Groups
Solitary, except during the breeding season

Diet
Bamboo leaves and shoots

Predators
Leopards, dholes, Asian golden cats, Golden Eagles. Yellow-throated marten known to kill newborns.

Sexual Maturity
18-20 months

Gestation
135 days, on average

Litter Size
Usually 2 cubs (range: 1-4)

Birthing Season
Usually early summer

Birth Weight
110-130 g (3.9-4.6 oz) at birth

Age at Weaning
13-22 weeks old

Typical Life Expectancy
Managed care: median life expectancy of about 10 years for Ailurus fulgens and 12 years for Ailurus styani

Feature Facts

• In Central Bhutan, red pandas are believed to be the reincarnation of Buddhist monks
• Shy, secretive animals
• Have some similar characteristics in common with Giant Pandas, but are not related
• Individual red pandas can be recognized by their facial patterning
• Thick fur to insulate them during cold weather
• Sleep in tightly curled position to conserve heat loss
• Eat leaves one at a time.
• Unusual digestive system. Single stomach, short gut length; lack digestion-aiding microbes.
• Resting to conserve energy is a strategy to compensate for low-calorie/qualtiy diet. Must consume up to 30% of its body weight in bamboo each day.
• Rapid growth of human populations within the red panda's range
• Community programs in Asia and managed breeding programs in AZA zoos are working to help the recovery of the red panda