Red Panda
The adorable Red Panda is predominantly found in the Himalayan region, making its home amidst the mountain peaks and conifer forests. It measures about 20 to 25 inches in body length and weighs approximately 7 kilograms. Its excessively long tail that measures up to 23 inches is used to gain balance and provide camouflaging from falling prey to its predators. The Red Panda has soft reddish-brown fur on the upper parts, blackish fur on the belly-side and white fur on its round face as well as pointy ears that are lined with white fur borders. Its short chubby legs give it a stubby appearance, which makes it extremely irresistible. This gentle creature also possesses unique tear markings, ebony-coloured eyes and an outstanding ringed bushy tail that is yellowish red. Red pandas are considered members of their own distinctive family – the Ailuridae.
The Red Panda is generally docile and solitary unless its territory is invaded or the mating season is ongoing. Its common habits make it difficult to be spotted. It’s nocturnal, enjoys sleeping on tree branches or hollows, and very little sound can be heard except for some occasional whistling, chirrups and tweeting. Closer to sundown is when the Red Panda actually begins its daily activity. It is heat sensitive and stays away from the sun. In extreme cold, its bushy tail serves as a warm cover over its face. Its thick fur too provides thermal insulation to keep this mammal warm. The Red Panda can also be seen sleeping with its body stretched out and legs dangling off the tree branch on a hot day.
The youngest mother is around 18 months of age before she fully matures in about two to three years. She can give birth up to four cubs, which are born deaf and blind. The expectant mother even prepares her nest of brushwood, grass and leaves in the tree hollows or rock crevices for her young. Just before their twentieth day, the cubs begin to open their eyes. In their third month, they start resembling their parents –
The Red Panda is generally docile and solitary unless its territory is invaded or the mating season is ongoing. Its common habits make it difficult to be spotted. It’s nocturnal, enjoys sleeping on tree branches or hollows, and very little sound can be heard except for some occasional whistling, chirrups and tweeting. Closer to sundown is when the Red Panda actually begins its daily activity. It is heat sensitive and stays away from the sun. In extreme cold, its bushy tail serves as a warm cover over its face. Its thick fur too provides thermal insulation to keep this mammal warm. The Red Panda can also be seen sleeping with its body stretched out and legs dangling off the tree branch on a hot day.
The youngest mother is around 18 months of age before she fully matures in about two to three years. She can give birth up to four cubs, which are born deaf and blind. The expectant mother even prepares her nest of brushwood, grass and leaves in the tree hollows or rock crevices for her young. Just before their twentieth day, the cubs begin to open their eyes. In their third month, they start resembling their parents –