What are some important things about red pandas?

Question

What are some important things about red pandas?

Answer 1

They're not plants (you posted in the Botany section), but:

Anatomical features indicate Red Pandas are most closely related to the racoon and similar to giant pandas and bears but are now in a Family of their own (Ailuridae).

Interesting Facts:

The Chinese name for red panda is hunho or firefox, due to their colour and similar size to a fox.

Like giant pandas, red pandas have an extra 'thumb' which is simply an enlarged bone. Claws are sharp and partly retractable.

A red panda can consume up to 45 percent of its own body weight daily eating approximately 200,000 bamboo leaves daily.

The origin of the name "panda" is the Nepalese word "nigalya ponya", which has the meaning of "eater of bamboo."

The red panda was first discovered in 1821, 48 years before the giant pandas were found in 1869.

Sad reality:

Red pandas are endangered, victims of deforestation. Their natural space is shrinking as more and more forests are destroyed by logging and the spread of agriculture.

For more, read: http://www.wellingtonzoo.com/animals/ani...

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/an...

Hope this helps! :)