Hello, Red Pandas!

Red Panda Sleeping

Red Pandas

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a small, tree-dwelling mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. Slightly larger than a domestic cat, it is famous for its vibrant rust-colored fur, cat-like face, and long, bushy tail

Fun Facts about Red Pandas

Red Pandas were first identified in 1825 by Frédéric Cuvier. They were identified (of described) in the regions of China and the eastern Himalayans. They have been given the binomial name Ailurus fulgens.

Red Pandas are most closely related to raccons. Most people believe that Red Pandas are a smaller subspecies of panda bears. However, they are closely related to raccoons, weasels, and skunks. (Yep, they are really related to trash pandas.)

Red Pandas live in the coniferous forests. They specifically look for temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, favouring steep slopes with dense bamboo cover close to water sources.

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Infraclass: Placentalia
  • Order: Carnivora
  • Family: Ailuridae
  • Subfamily: Ailurinae
  • Type: Ailurini
  • Genus: Ailurus
  • Species: A. fulgens