“Fire fox”, in English “firefox”, in Chinese - hunho, and officially, in Latin - Ailurus fulgens– fire cat, red panda – it’s all about her, about the red panda. The names reflect what is perhaps the most striking hallmark the animal is its fiery, red-orange-red color of fur.
Scientists argued for a long time about which family to include it in - there is general signs and with, and with... As a result, the work of geneticists made it possible to classify the red or small panda - the “fire fox” - into its own family of the little pandas. And this is probably fair, since little panda just like “big brother” - a very cute and photogenic animal. Moreover, it reproduces well in captivity, so the “fire fox” lives in many zoos around the world.
And in the wild, the red panda lives mainly in the Chinese provinces and Yunnan, in the north of Bhutan, Nepal, Burma and in the Indian northeastern mountains. Previously, these animals were much more widespread; scientists know about their former presence in other parts of the world - in Europe, and even on other continents - in North America. Most likely, for the stable existence of the “fire fox” red panda, certain climatic conditions and when the required range of these conditions changes, the habitat of the red panda sharply decreases... A similar phenomenon is observed for other rare animals: for the cutest Australian ones, for wild ones. Which, of course, cannot but cause regret and concern...
The red panda is a predator, but also a big fan of bamboo. Only, unlike black and white bears, it loves softer shoots and younger leaves. Bamboo makes up about 95 percent of the red panda's menu, and the rest is various berries and fruits. The "Fire Fox", like other foxes, will not disdain to feast on bird eggs or even small rodents - after all, it is a predator! Although these predators do not move very quickly and dexterously on the ground, the red panda most often feeds on the ground. And it takes her at least half a day a day to eat...
The “fire fox” leads a twilight lifestyle and often sleeps during the day with its tail wrapped around it, like a cat or our friend Red fox. Sleeps on a tree or in a hollow, climbs trees easily, thanks to semi-retractable claws.
“Fire foxes” - red pandas - are not very large animals, smaller than real foxes, males and females weigh from about four to six kilograms, their body length is about fifty to sixty centimeters, plus a tail up to half a meter long. Each individual red panda has a strictly individual “mask” pattern around the eyes.
The “conversation” of small pandas is similar to the chirping of birds; they are not aggressive and are peaceful. The red panda has few natural enemies in the wild, but the “fire fox” is still listed as an “Endangered” species in the International Red Book. This is due to the fact that, despite a fairly wide habitat, the density of this species in nature is low. And the very specific living conditions of the red panda, like those of the “big brother”, can be easily violated. For the red panda, these conditions are bamboo forests in the mountains with a temperate climate at an altitude of two to four thousand meters above sea level.
But you don’t have to climb so high into the mountains to admire the “fiery fox”; you can look at these cute animals in the zoo or watch the video below!
The brightly colored, beautiful animal, which is called the fire cat, red bear and fire fox, is how you can describe the red panda. Its appearance is very different from the popular bamboo bear. By latest research scientists, she is the only representative of the panda family.
Name and its origin
The history of the discovery and naming of the red panda goes back to the 13th century, when the animal was first mentioned in ancient Chinese scrolls from the Chow Dynasty. Only by the 19th century did information about it become known in Europe. The general managed to discover and describe the red panda English army and naturalist Thomas Hardwicke in 1821 mountainous area in northern India, who presented his report on it to the Linnean Society in London. According to his reports, the Chinese and Nepalese called the animal “punya” (poonya), but he suggested giving it a name based on the characteristic sounds that it produced - “wa”.
Almost simultaneously with Hardwick, a description of the animal was made by the French scientist Fr. Cuvier, who found it very cute, for which he gave it the name “brilliant cat” (Ailurus fulgens). Gradually the name "punya" was anglicized and transformed into "panda".
Systematization of the red panda
At first, biologists attributed this animal to the raccoon family based on its external similarity, tooth structure, skull shape and other characteristics. The animal received the name “small” after the discovery of the giant panda.
Disputes among taxonomists about the correct classification of the animal continued for more than 100 years. And only when DNA studies were carried out, it turned out that the giant panda belongs to the bear family, and the small panda received its own family - pandas.
Differences between big and small pandas
Many people believe that giant and red pandas are related, but this is not true. They received the name only for their external similarity. In fact, bamboo bear does not belong to the panda family at all.
But the red, or small panda, is the only representative of the family of the same name, the other members of which, according to scientists, are extinct.
Lesser pandas are members of the superfamily Musteloidea, which also includes skunks, raccoons and mustelids. They are distinguished by their predatory behavior and general forms of body and skull structure. Researchers have concluded that in ancient times, red pandas were large predators and ate the flesh of wild beasts. The most ancient remains of Ailurus animals were discovered in Siberia and Washington state (USA), from where they probably spread to Asia.
Appearance and description
As you can see in the photo of the red panda, this animal is distinguished by its bright fiery color of fur, and not solid, but decorated for natural camouflage various color spots: black paws, a red tail decorated with yellow, white and red rings, on the muzzle there are white spots that decorate the tips of the ears. The fur is very thick, soft and long. Such colorful camouflage helps the animal become invisible when living in the trees where it spends most own life.
To make it easy to climb trees, pandas have short, strong paws and claws that can be half retracted, and fluffy fur on the soles allows them to walk on ice and snow. On the wrist of the forelimbs there is an “extra” finger in the form of an enlarged part of the bone, which is designed specifically for holding a bamboo branch.
The weight of an adult animal depends on its gender: males are larger and can reach up to 6.2 kg, females - 4-6 kg. The height of the animal is up to 25 cm, the length of the body without a tail can reach up to 64 cm, but the chic fluffy tail adds another 30-50 cm.
The description of the red panda makes it clear why it was given names in praise of its brilliant and bright colors, which are the same for females and males. In nature, such animals live 8-10 years, and in comfortable conditions in captivity - up to 15.
Where does the red panda live?
According to scientists, red pandas previously lived in many European countries and even North America, but due to climate change, they are no longer in these areas.
The current habitat of the red panda is mountain system The Himalayas, passing through the countries of Asia: western India, Nepal, the southern regions of Burma and China. There are dense, tall forests of coniferous trees, oak, chestnut and maple trees, where bamboo thickets are located in the lower tier, average height 2-4 km above the sea.
Depending on the appearance and the region in which the red panda lives, scientists divide them into 2 subspecies: Indian (Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and some states of India) and Chinese (Northern Myanmar and southwestern regions China). The latter are larger animals, and the color is slightly darker.
Red pandas usually live alone in their own territory, which they can leave only in mating season, which occurs from January to March. Males usually mark boundaries (trees, stones and other natural objects) with the help of the anal glands and those located on the tips of the paws. Each female panda's home range is 2.5 square meters. km, and males - up to 5 sq. km.
Nutrition and lifestyle
Although the animal is classified as a predator, it feeds plant foods, most of which are bamboo shoots - the younger, the sweeter. They consume 4 kg of plants per day. They also eat leaves, roots, berries, fruits, lichens, acorns and mushrooms; for protein foods, they eat bird eggs and small insects, and occasionally feast on chicks or mice.
The red panda is an animal that prefers night look life, because it does not tolerate hot days well. Optimal conditions for them are +17...+25 ºС. Most of the time, "shiny cats" sit on bamboo trees (up to 13 hours a day) and slowly chew young bamboo shoots, holding them with their front paws, which is very similar to the posture when consuming food for humans.
During the daytime, pandas sit in the dense crowns of trees or inside a hollow, curling up on a branch and covering their faces with a fluffy tail or paw. At extreme heat they stretch out in length and hang their paws down, as seen in the photo of the red panda below.
When an enemy appears, the animal either hides in a tree or tries to scare him by arching and snorting. Moreover, they can climb to any height, moving along the branches in a zigzag.
Reproduction
Female red pandas come into heat once a year, and last no more than a day, which reduces the likelihood of meeting their “betrothed.” Carrying babies lasts quite a long time (90-150 days), which is due to the slow metabolism of their body. Direct fetal development lasts about 50 days, and before that the embryo is in the latent period.
Shortly before giving birth, which occurs in May-June, the mother panda builds a nest in a hollow or in rock crevices and covers it with grass, branches and leaves. In a litter, 1-4 blind puppies are born, beige in color, weighing no more than 130 g.
After birth, the mother carefully licks the babies and feeds them milk. For the first week she practically does not leave the nest, and then she begins to carry out hunting trips for food. Due to diseases and predators, out of the entire litter, usually only 1 puppy survives to adulthood.
After 3 weeks, the red panda cubs' eyes open, and after a few days they try to leave the nest in search of food. However, they feed on mother's milk until almost 5 months of age, along with found plant foods.
Babies acquire a bright red color by the age of 3 months, becoming fluffy bright red “kittens.” They live with their mother and roam as a family. At the age of 1.5 years, the cubs become sexually mature, but they become capable of reproduction only at 2-3 years.
Rare species and its conservation
According to scientists' statistics, there are now no more than 10 thousand red pandas left in the world. The reason for their extinction and death are poachers who hunt for the beautiful fluffy skin of animals. Local residents use red fur to make hats and clothing. Thus, in one of the provinces of China, a newlywed’s headdress made from the wool of a “shiny cat” is considered a talisman that promises a happy family life.
The decline in the panda population is due to the massive deforestation of bamboo forests, which also suffer from trampling by livestock. “Fire foxes” often get sick and are attacked by predators. It is in this regard that the red panda is included in the Red Book as an endangered animal in need of protection and protection. To preserve their population, protected areas have been created in some habitat areas.
In China local residents The red panda is called the fire fox. This name and image were used by the artists to create the logo and title Firefox browser Mozilla, a company that develops computer programs.
The red panda is the symbol of the International Tea Festival, which is held in Darjeeling (India).
Unlike their large relatives, red pandas are gourmets, consuming only the youngest and most tender bamboo shoots. In winter, they dilute their diet with berries, mushrooms and protein foods to replenish the missing nutrients.
It has long been customary for residents of India and Nepal to keep these animals as pets, and they buy them on the black market.
The red panda is also the hero of children's cartoons, for example, in the film "Kung Fu Panda" its image inspired artists to create the little master Shifu.
Life in captivity
IN modern zoos peace (in some cities in China and Sweden, as well as in Warsaw (Poland), Dublin (Ireland), Berlin (Germany), etc.) There are more than 800 red pandas. In Russia there lives 1 couple in Moscow, one animal each in St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk.
The nature of the animals is quite peaceful, so they are kept in groups of several individuals in each enclosure (usually 1 male and 2 females). They can also be housed together with other larger and more peaceful animals, such as deer. Red pandas breed freely in captivity: more than half of the zoo animals were born in the same conditions.
"Brilliant Foxes" in Moscow
Red pandas were brought to the Moscow Zoo in 2009 from Madrid; a couple of animals were quite old - 10 years old. They were settled on the Island of Animals, where they settled in well: during the day they slept on the branches, and at dusk they went down to walk around the enclosure. However, after 4 years they grew old and died.
Further, in 2014, a 1.5-year-old female panda, Zane, was brought in and placed in the Old Territory, where a special enclosure with climbing structures was prepared for her arrival. She liked the stairs and logs, but not so much the house. Zein's diet is based on mixed feed made from chopped fruits and green bamboo shoots.
In 2015, she was finally lucky enough to find a mate: a male was brought from a Polish zoo and placed in her enclosure. Since January 2018, the Moscow Zoo website has made it possible to observe online the lives of some animals in enclosures, including the family of “fire foxes.”
Although local residents in India and China often keep such animals as pets, in the climate of Russia those who want to make a “brilliant fox” as their pet may encounter legal problems and everyday issues. Pandas, as representatives of a rare and endangered species, can officially only be sold for keeping in zoos, and private individuals buy them only on the black market.
Create comfortable conditions Living in an apartment or private house is not at all easy for a red panda. The animal will need an enclosure, preferably a high one, and special structures that allow it to climb branches or logs.
But the biggest problem is to provide the animal with normal nutrition, because in Russia it is unlikely to be able to find bamboo shoots every day. Therefore, many animals die due to poor quality nutrition and stomach diseases.
Conclusion
Red or red pandas are the only representatives a rare and endangered species, the fate of which depends on the correct attitude of people towards them. This is a beautiful, bright and original animal that attracts many children and adults in zoos with its appearance and behavior. And videos on the Internet showing big and small pandas collect more than one million likes.
Name: Lesser panda, red panda (named because of its long and soft fiery-colored coat).
In China it is called "hon ho" or "fire fox". Sometimes the Lesser Panda is also called a cat bear. A modern name panda ( panda), comes from the Chinese "punya" - " poonya".
Written mentions of this beast in China go back to the 13th century: in a scroll of the Shu dynasty of the 13th century, but Europeans learned about it only in the 19th century. It was officially discovered in 1821 by the English general and naturalist Thomas Hardwicke, who collected material on the territory of the English colonies. He suggested calling this animal a word (wha) - one of his Chinese names, based on imitation of the sounds made by the animal. Latin name Ailurus fulgens- a brilliant cat, the new animal was given by the French naturalist Frederic Cuvier.
Red pandas have been a taxonomic mystery. In my own way appearance a panda looks like a raccoon; in its movements it resembles a bear - it sits on its hind legs, wields its front paws, climbs, gets angry and screams just like a bear. They were originally placed in the raccoon family ( Procyonidae) due to similarities in teeth, skull, tail and others morphological characteristics. They were then moved to the bear family ( Ursidae) due to similarities in DNA. Currently, most researchers keep them in the raccoon family, although others, using evidence based on new molecular taxonomy studies, consider red pandas as members of their own family Ailuridae.
There are two subspecies of the red panda. Subspecies Ailurus fulgens styani: Individuals weigh 5.4-9 kg and are found in China in southwestern Sichuan, Yunnan and northern Burma. Subspecies Ailurus fulgens fulgens- a slightly smaller animal, lives in the Himalayas.
Area: Homeland of the red panda - south-eastern part Himalayan mountains, where it is found at an altitude of 2000-4000 m. The habitat of the red panda is limited to the provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan in China, northern Burma, Bhutan, Nepal and northeast India. It has not been seen west of Nepal. The ancestors of today's pandas were much more widespread - their remains are also found in Eastern Europe, and in North America. Obviously, these animals were adapted to a certain type of climate, with the change of which their range sharply decreased.
Description: The body of the red panda is elongated, the fur is thick, soft, smooth and very long. The thick and soft fur makes her body seem thicker than it actually is. The tail is fluffy, the head is very wide, with a short, sharp muzzle. The ears are small, round, and the eyes are also small. The paws are short, strong, have hairy feet (adapted for walking on snow and ice), which only half touch the ground when walking, and short toes are equipped with strongly curved claws. Unlike other bears, the red panda's claws are partially retractable (semi-retractable). On its wrist, the panda has an enlarged radial sesamoid bone of the forepaw - an "extra digit". It is opposed to other fingers, which allows the panda to hold slender branches of bamboo in its front paws. Differences in appearance there are no males or females. Number of teeth 38.
Color: The coat on the upper side is a brilliant dark red color, changing to a light golden yellow on the back, as the hair here has yellow tips. The lower part of the body and legs, with the exception of a dark chestnut stripe on the outside and front, are glossy black, the hair on the chin and cheeks is white, and the back is rusty yellow, as well as the forehead and crown; a rusty-red stripe runs from the eyes to the corners of the mouth and separates the white muzzle from the cheeks; The ears are covered with dark red hair on the outside and long white hair on the inside. The tail is long, red and bushy, with about twelve alternating lighter narrow rings on a red background. The red colors in the panda's coloration play a protective camouflage role, allowing a resting or sleeping animal to be invisible against the background of red lichens that grow en masse on the branches and trunks of fir in China.
Size: In size, a panda is approximately equal to a large domestic cat: they reach 170 cm in length, with a body length of 51-64 cm and a tail of 28-48 cm. Height at the shoulders is 25 cm.
Weight: up to 6 kg: from 3.7 to 6.2 kg.
Lifespan: Maximum lifespan in captivity is 14 years. Average duration life in nature is about 8-10 years.
In its normal state, the red panda's voice is short, weak cries, reminiscent of bird chirping. She can also make a series of whistles and snorts when she gets scared. "An angry panda," says Simpson, "climbs up the hind legs just like a bear and emits a cry that can be easily reproduced if you open your mouth and quickly release air through your nose. "One day, an observer noticed two alarmed pandas on top tall tree: They emitted such terrible screams as he had never heard before.
Habitat: The main habitat of the panda is a tall forest consisting of various varieties of trees: conifers (almost exclusively fir), interspersed with deciduous species such as oak, chestnut and maple, which provide protection for sustainable development lower tier from rhododendron and bamboo. These mountain bamboo forests are located at an altitude of 2000-4000 m above sea level in conditions temperate climate, which is characterized average temperature 10-25"C and an average annual precipitation of 350 mm. Clouds shroud these forests most of the year, favoring extensive growth of mosses and lichens on possible surfaces (trunks, branches and stones). Densely packed, intertwined root systems this large quantity vegetation, binds the soil on even the steepest slopes, maximizing the retention of precipitation here.
Enemies: The main enemy of the red panda is snow leopard(leopard). When threatened with attack, the red panda quickly climbs a tree thanks to its sharp and long claws.
Food: Although the red panda is a member of the order of carnivores, it can be called a herbivore: 95% of its diet consists of young leaves and shoots of bamboo. Bamboo is poor in nutrients; Therefore, red pandas spend up to 13 hours a day searching for and eating bamboo. Unlike big panda The small one is very selective in nutrition. If the bamboo bear eats almost all parts of the bamboo, except for the roots, while practically not chewing, then the red panda looks for shoots that are younger and more tender. Despite this, the panda manages to extract only about 25% of the energy contained in the sprouts from bamboo. To compensate for the low calorie content of food, they are forced to consume food up to 30% of their body weight. In the process of evolutionary development Red pandas have developed low basal metabolic rates that are comparable to those of sloths. At very cold weather they can temporarily reduce metabolic rate. Therefore, thanks to a number physiological adaptations, which, in combination with the existing dense and warm fur covering the entire body (including the soles of the feet) and energy-saving behavior that allows temperature regulation (such as curling into a tight ball when cold), make it possible to effectively retain body heat and regulate energy costs. It has also been established that pandas eat only mature bamboo shoots, which is typical for adult animals in nature from late autumn to early spring, can barely maintain their body weight at a stable level. Some individuals even lose up to 15% of their body weight on this diet, despite using the youngest shoots and thoroughly chewing each portion before swallowing to increase the digestibility of the food.
The remaining 5% of the diet is various fruits, roots, herbs, acorns, berries and mushrooms. There are observations that, when possible, the panda destroys bird nests, eating eggs and rarely eats insects and small rodents. Although, according to other sources, when kept in captivity, it was never possible to force a red panda to eat meat. In captivity, they eat leaves and buds, fruits, as well as grass, bamboo buds, rice cooked with milk, and milk sweetened with sugar.
Behavior: Red or red panda leads a nocturnal (or rather, twilight) lifestyle, sleeps during the day in a hollow or in a nest on evergreens, usually curled up into a ball and covering its head with its tail. Sometimes she sleeps in a position reminiscent of a sleeping American raccoon: sitting on a branch, with her head down on her chest and between her front paws. IN warm weather red pandas can be seen on a branch fully stretched out on their bellies with their legs dangling to their sides.
Although the panda is an excellent tree climber, it collects most of its food on the ground. Food is usually taken in the front paw and then brought to the mouth, and then eaten while sitting, standing or lying on the back.
On the ground, red pandas move slowly and awkwardly. They descend from the tree head first, and when moving from branch to branch they demonstrate their flexibility and dexterity. When a panda is in the trees, it uses its tail for balance, and when moving on the ground, it keeps it straight and horizontal.
After waking up or eating, several non-feeding behaviors can be observed in red pandas. They lick their entire body and their paws, wash their faces with their paws, stretch or rub their backs and bellies against a tree trunk or rock.
When restless, red pandas make a puffing sound when they exhale sharply, much like a raccoon. At the same time, they greatly arch their bodies to frighten impostors.
Red pandas display several visual postures during intraspecific interactions, including:
- bending the tail in an arc, slowly raise and lower the head, while emitting a low-intensity puff;
- turns or shakes the head from side to side, while simultaneously clicking the jaws;
- a bipedal pose with the front legs raised above the head and a fixed gaze at a fellow tribesman.
There is conflicting evidence about how pandas drink water. According to Bartlett, they drink like bears, sucking the liquid with their lips; according to Hodgson, they lap up the liquid with their tongue. The red panda has a peaceful character and easily takes root in captivity.
Social structure: Red pandas live alone, like silent hermits. The personal territory of the female covers an area of about 2.5 km 2, the male - twice as much. They mark their territory with scent marks using urine and secretions from the anal glands and glands located on the soles of their paws. They also use piles of their droppings for the same purpose. Through such "scent mail" they convey information that helps maintain social intervals and undoubtedly provide information about the sex, age and reproductive state of its owner. As such, adult red pandas rarely have direct contact with each other outside of the breeding season.
Being fairly shy and solitary animals, adult red pandas normally only share each other's company during mating season. Only at this time do they actively look for a partner, using sophisticated body language and vocalizations to establish contact and sort out relationships, including arching their tails, producing threatening hisses and clicks, seductive “chirps” and warning “whistles”.
During the mating season, pandas live in pairs or family groups, consisting of an adult female and her grown offspring.
Reproduction: The red panda reproduces annually, leaving offspring once a year. During the mating season, contacts between individuals of different sexes increase sharply. Males become very active, leaving their scent everywhere on trees, spraying them with urine or rubbing them with the secretion of a gland located in the anal area. Apparently, the female is in heat once a year and only becomes receptive for conception within 18-24 hours. Therefore, a female, ready for mating, actively invites the male to love games.
Shortly before giving birth, usually a few days before, the female begins to carry nesting materials (sticks, grass, leaves) to a suitable hollow or rock crevice, where she builds a nest for future offspring.
All reported births occurred in the afternoon: between 4 and 9 pm, which is the period of their highest activity.
Breeding season/period: Early winter (usually January). Childbirth occurs from mid-May to mid-July.
Puberty: Juveniles reach adult size at about 12 months of age and become sexually mature at 18 months.
Pregnancy: According to data obtained from different zoos, the pregnancy of a red panda lasts from 90 to 145 days, with an average of 131 days. Of these, the actual development of the embryo accounts for only 50 days, since fetal development does not begin immediately after conception, but after quite a long time (from 20 to 70 days, on average 40), called diapause.
Offspring: In a litter of 1-2, occasionally up to 4 blind cubs, but rarely more than one survives. They remain with their mother until the next litter.
At birth, puppies weigh 110-130 grams and are completely covered in fawn-colored fur. After giving birth, the female quickly licks the young and remains with them 60-90% of the time during the first few days. Mothers recognize their young through the sense of smell, by placing scent marks on them shortly after birth. After one week, the females spend most of their time away from the nest, returning to it every few hours to feed and lick the young animals, thus keeping the nest clean.
Young red pandas open their eyes at about three weeks of age, but remain attached to the nest for about 90 days. They make their first excursion from the nest at night. Puppies stop eating breast milk at about 5 months of age. A close relationship develops between the young and the mother until the young become aggressive at the start of the next breeding season. Males do not take any part in caring for their young.
Benefit/harm for humans: All mountain peoples seem to actively persecute the panda for its beautiful fur; perhaps they also eat its meat, despite the strong musky smell that this animal spreads around itself when irritated.
The fur of red pandas in China is used to make hats and clothing by local people, and their tails are used as anthers. The fur hat with its long, luxurious tail at the end is warm and has a wonderful look. In Yunnan Province, this type of hat is still desirable for newlyweds because in the past it was regarded as a talisman for a happy marriage.
Small (red) pandas have important social, scientific and economic importance. It is the national animal of Sikkim and the mascot of the Darjeeling International Tea Festival. Quite a lot of these beautiful animals arrive every year from Nepal to Calcutta for export to foreign zoos...
Population/Conservation Status: The world population of the red panda is estimated at 16,000 - 20,000 individuals, of which 6000-7000 are in China, 5000-6000 in India, and several hundred in Nepal. The probable habitat area of the red panda in China is approximately 37,000 km2; in India - about 170,000 km 2, although within this area it actually lives only on about 25,000 km 2. Population density: 1 adult panda per 2-4 km 2, sometimes up to 11 km 2 (females have smaller habitat areas than males).
Although the red panda's range is very large territory And natural enemies she has a little, this species is included in the lists of the International Red Book with the status of “Endangered”. The fact is that the density of animals in nature is very low, and, in addition, the habitats of the red panda can easily be destroyed. Deforestation deprives pandas of their food source and their habitats become lost and fragmented.
Fortunately, the red panda breeds well in captivity. Currently, about 300 of these animals are kept in 85 zoos around the world, and the same number have been born in captivity in recent years.
Systematic position of the red panda for a long time it was unclear. It was classified either as a raccoon family, or as a bear family, or as a separate family. However, recent genetic studies have shown that the red panda forms its own family, the Little Pandas, which, together with the families of raccoons, skunks and mustelids, forms the superfamily Martenidae.
The red panda's range is limited to the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of China, northern Burma, Bhutan, Nepal and northeastern India. It is not found west of Nepal. Lives in mountain bamboo forests at an altitude of 2000-4000 m above sea level in a temperate climate.
If I'm sleeping, you can put something tasty here.
The ancestors of today's pandas were much more widespread; their remains are found in Eastern Europe and North America. However, these animals were obviously adapted to a certain type of climate, with the change of which their range sharply decreased.
IN calm state red pandas make short sounds reminiscent of bird chirping.
The red panda has a peaceful character and easily takes root in captivity.
Name: Lesser panda, red panda (named because of its long and soft fiery-colored coat).
In China it is called "hon ho" or "fire fox". Sometimes the Lesser Panda is also called a cat bear. And the modern name is panda ( panda), comes from the Chinese "punya" - " poonya".
Written mentions of this beast in China go back to the 13th century: in a scroll of the Shu dynasty of the 13th century, but Europeans learned about it only in the 19th century. It was officially discovered in 1821 by the English general and naturalist Thomas Hardwicke, who collected material on the territory of the English colonies. He suggested calling this animal the word (wha) - one of its Chinese names, based on the imitation of the sounds made by the animal. Latin name Ailurus fulgens- a brilliant cat, the new animal was given by the French naturalist Frederic Cuvier.
Red pandas have been a taxonomic mystery. In appearance, the panda is similar to the raccoon; in its movements it resembles a bear - it sits on its hind legs, wields its front paws, climbs, gets angry and screams just like a bear. They were originally placed in the raccoon family ( Procyonidae) due to similarities in teeth, skull, tail and other morphological characteristics. They were then moved to the bear family ( Ursidae) due to similarities in DNA. Currently, most researchers keep them in the raccoon family, although others, using evidence based on new molecular taxonomy studies, consider red pandas as members of their own family Ailuridae.
There are two subspecies of the red panda. Subspecies Ailurus fulgens styani: Individuals weigh 5.4-9 kg and are found in China in southwestern Sichuan, Yunnan and northern Burma. Subspecies Ailurus fulgens fulgens- a slightly smaller animal, lives in the Himalayas.
Area: The homeland of the red panda is the southeastern part of the Himalayan mountains, where it is found at an altitude of 2000-4000 m. The habitat of the red panda is limited to the provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan in China, northern Burma, Bhutan, Nepal and northeastern India. It has not been seen west of Nepal. The ancestors of today's pandas were much more widespread - their remains are found in Eastern Europe and North America. Obviously, these animals were adapted to a certain type of climate, with the change of which their range sharply decreased.
Description: The body of the red panda is elongated, the fur is thick, soft, smooth and very long. The thick and soft fur makes her body seem thicker than it actually is. The tail is fluffy, the head is very wide, with a short, sharp muzzle. The ears are small, round, and the eyes are also small. The paws are short, strong, have hairy feet (adapted for walking on snow and ice), which only half touch the ground when walking, and short toes are equipped with strongly curved claws. Unlike other bears, the red panda's claws are partially retractable (semi-retractable). On its wrist, the panda has an enlarged radial sesamoid bone of the forepaw - an "extra digit". It is opposed to other fingers, which allows the panda to hold slender branches of bamboo in its front paws. There are no differences in the appearance of males and females. Number of teeth 38.
Color: The coat on the upper side is a brilliant dark red color, changing to a light golden yellow on the back, as the hair here has yellow tips. The lower part of the body and legs, with the exception of a dark chestnut stripe on the outside and front, are glossy black, the hair on the chin and cheeks is white, and the back is rusty yellow, as well as the forehead and crown; a rusty-red stripe runs from the eyes to the corners of the mouth and separates the white muzzle from the cheeks; The ears are covered with dark red hair on the outside and long white hair on the inside. The tail is long, red and bushy, with about twelve alternating lighter narrow rings on a red background. The red colors in the panda's coloration play a protective camouflage role, allowing a resting or sleeping animal to be invisible against the background of red lichens that grow en masse on the branches and trunks of fir in China.
Size: In size, a panda is approximately equal to a large domestic cat: they reach 170 cm in length, with a body length of 51-64 cm and a tail of 28-48 cm. Height at the shoulders is 25 cm.
Weight: up to 6 kg: from 3.7 to 6.2 kg.
Lifespan: Maximum lifespan in captivity is 14 years. The average life expectancy in nature is about 8-10 years.
In its normal state, the red panda's voice is short, weak cries, reminiscent of bird chirping. She can also make a series of whistles and snorts when she gets scared. “An angry panda,” says Simpson, “rises up on its hind legs just like a bear and lets out a scream that can be easily reproduced by opening your mouth and quickly blowing air out through your nose.” One day, an observer noticed two alarmed pandas on the top of a tall tree: they were emitting such terrible screams as he had never heard before.
Habitat: The main habitat of the panda is a tall forest consisting of various varieties of trees: conifers (almost exclusively fir), alternating with deciduous species such as oak, chestnut and maple, which provide protection for the sustainable development of an understory of rhododendron and bamboo . These mountain bamboo forests are located at an altitude of 2000-4000 m above sea level in a temperate climate characterized by an average temperature of 10-25 "C and an average annual precipitation of 350 mm. Clouds shroud these forests most of the year, favoring the extensive growth of mosses and lichens on possible surfaces (trunks, branches and stones).The densely packed, intertwined root systems of this large amount of vegetation bind the soil on even the steepest slopes, maximizing precipitation retention there.
Enemies: The main enemy of the red panda is the snow leopard (leopard). When threatened with attack, the red panda quickly climbs a tree thanks to its sharp and long claws.
Food: Although the red panda is a member of the carnivorous order, it can be called a herbivore: 95% of its diet consists of young leaves and shoots of bamboo. Bamboo is poor in nutrients; Therefore, red pandas spend up to 13 hours a day searching for and eating bamboo. Unlike the giant panda, the small panda is very selective in its diet. If the bamboo bear eats almost all parts of the bamboo, except for the roots, while practically not chewing, then the red panda looks for shoots that are younger and more tender. Despite this, the panda manages to extract only about 25% of the energy contained in the sprouts from bamboo. To compensate for the low calorie content of food, they are forced to consume food up to 30% of their body weight. During their evolutionary development, red pandas have developed low basal metabolic rates that are comparable to those of sloths. In very cold weather, they can temporarily reduce metabolic rate. Therefore, thanks to a number of physiological adaptations, which, in combination with the presence of dense and warm fur covering the entire body (including the soles of the feet) and energy-saving behavior that allows temperature regulation (such as curling into a tight ball when cold), make it possible to effectively retain body heat and regulate energy expenditure. It has also been found that pandas eating only mature bamboo shoots, which is typical for adult animals in nature from late autumn to early spring, can barely maintain their body weight at a stable level. Some individuals even lose up to 15% of their body weight on this diet, despite using the youngest shoots and chewing each portion thoroughly before swallowing to increase the digestibility of the food.
The remaining 5% of the diet consists of various fruits, roots, herbs, acorns, berries and mushrooms. There are observations that, when possible, the panda destroys bird nests, eating eggs and rarely eats insects and small rodents. Although, according to other sources, when kept in captivity, it was never possible to force a red panda to eat meat. In captivity, they eat leaves and buds, fruits, as well as grass, bamboo buds, rice cooked with milk, and milk sweetened with sugar.
The systematic position of the red panda has long been unclear. It was classified either as a raccoon family, or as a bear family, or as a separate family. However, recent genetic studies have shown that the red panda forms its own family, the Little Pandas, which, together with the families of raccoons, skunks and mustelids, forms the superfamily Martenidae.
The red panda's range is limited to the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of China, northern Burma, Bhutan, Nepal and northeastern India. It is not found west of Nepal. Lives in mountain bamboo forests at an altitude of 2000-4000 m above sea level in a temperate climate.
The ancestors of today's pandas were much more widespread; their remains are found in Eastern Europe and North America. However, these animals were obviously adapted to a certain type of climate, with the change of which their range sharply decreased.
The red panda leads a predominantly nocturnal (or rather, twilight) lifestyle; during the day it sleeps in a hollow, curled up and covering its head with its tail. In case of danger, it also climbs trees. On the ground, pandas move slowly and awkwardly, but they climb trees well, but nevertheless they feed mainly on the ground.
Although the red panda is a member of the order of carnivores, 95% of its diet consists of young leaves and shoots of bamboo. The remaining 5% are various fruits, berries, mushrooms, bird eggs and even small rodents.
Unlike the giant panda, the small panda is very selective in its diet. If the “bamboo bear” eats almost all parts of the bamboo, the red panda looks for softer shoots. Observations have shown that red pandas spend 13 hours a day feeding.
When calm, red pandas make short sounds reminiscent of bird chirping. The red panda has a peaceful character and easily takes root in captivity.
Although the red panda's range occupies a very large area and it has few natural enemies, this species is included in the International Red List with the status "Endangered". The fact is that the density of animals in nature is very low, and, in addition, the habitats of the red panda can easily be destroyed.
Fortunately, the red panda breeds well in captivity. Currently, about 300 of these animals are kept in 85 zoos around the world, and the same number have been born in captivity over the past two decades. (based on Wikipedia)
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