Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)
The Red Panda is a timid, long-tailed, herbivorous mammal that shares similar characteristics as the Giant Panda and is closely related to the racoon. These creatures are independent as soon as they are five months old and are rarely found in groups. Most Red Pandas are distributed in high-altitude temperate deciduous-coniferous forests of the Himalaya Mountain; also found in high mountain areas of China and Myanmar. The ideal living conditions for the Red Panda include climates of moderate temperature and little annual fluctuation. This animal is sensitive to heat and cannot tolerate temperatures over 25oC. Thus, they are often found sleeping on a cool shaded branch during the day. Daily activities consist of maintenance of their fur and feeding on bamboo at dawn and dusk. Bamboo is vital for the survival of Red Pandas because they cannot digest cellulose. For this reason, microbial digestion is not an important process in their digestive strategy. Bamboos have the highest nutrient concentrations in the summer and less in the winter. As a result, Red Pandas have excellent digestibility
during summer and autumn seasons, and poor digestibility in the winter. Unfortunately, this unique species is endangered and its population continues to decline due to clearing of forests, hunting for their tails and fur, and their specific diet needs. Although hunting of Red Pandas is now illegal, humans continue to poach this species for fur clothing and illegal trade.
Word count: 231
Works Cited
Massicot, Paul (2006, April 17). Animal info - Red Panda. Retrieved July 15, 2008, from Animal Info Web site:
http://www.animalinfo.org/species/carnivor/ailufulg.htm
Bergner, Christina (1997, March 4). Red Pandas: Ailurus fulgens. Retrieved July 16, 2008, Web site:
http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/2695/rdpanda.html