What does a red panda look like?

The name gives it away. The red panda is known for its red coat color. It also has a long tail that has twelve rings on it. Its tail can grow up to 47 centimeters long! The red panda has a distinctive round head with round brown eyes, a short pointed snout and erect ears. His head also has distinctive red tear streaks under his eyes. Its back has a reddish coat color and its paws are black in color. These paws are in possession of very sharp claws.

At the Safari Park you can admire them up close!

How big is a red panda?

The body of the red panda is about 55 to 63 centimeters long. Its tail is almost as long as the rest of its body. If you add the length of its body to the length of its tail, the red panda can reach a total length of 80 to 110 centimeters!

Where does the red panda live?

The red panda is found in the forested areas of the Himalayan Mountains. Here they live at an altitude of 2,200 to 4,800 meters! They surround themselves in an area where there is a lot of bamboo. In fact, as much as 95% of their food consists of bamboo leaves. Also preferred are many hollow trees in the area. They use these to hide and sleep in. They live in a temperate climate with temperatures between ten and 25 degrees Celsius. In the area where the red panda lives, it can get so cold that it even snows. The red panda is adapted to this because of its thick fur. Because of this thick fur, the red panda cannot handle the warmer temperatures very well. Thus, they are active in the early morning or evening. Then the temperature is lower than in the middle of the day.

What does a red panda eat?

Because the red panda eats so much bamboo, you wouldn't easily expect the animal to have the digestive system of a carnivore! Despite that, the animal has more the diet of a vegetarian. For example, the red panda eats plant roots, berries, fruits and lots of bamboo! 95% of its food consists of bamboo leaves. Occasionally, bird eggs, small rodents and honey are also on the menu. Because bamboo is not easily digestible, the red panda may spend up to thirteen hours a day eating! They must eat about thirty percent of their own total body weight to meet their maintenance needs. The bamboo has a low energy value, so the animal must rest a lot. The red panda gets water through its food, but it also licks the moisture from its paws.

The red panda is mostly active in the morning and evening. To search for food, it uses its whiskers in the dark. This prevents him from bumping into anything.

Climb!

The red panda is an excellent climber! He can often be found resting in the trees. Because the bamboo it eats is not easily digestible and has a low energy value, the red panda needs to rest a lot.

The soles of the red panda's feet are covered with white hairs. This allows him to walk well on the damp branches without slipping easily. These hairy pads also protect the red panda from the harsh cold. Furthermore, the animal has sharp nails that come in handy while climbing.

What is the difference between the giant panda and the red panda?

Despite its name, the red panda is not related to the giant panda. In fact, the giant panda belongs to the bear family. The red panda is a family in its own right. In addition, of course, the animals differ in appearance. The giant panda is very large compared to the red panda. Also, the giant panda has white and black fur and the red panda has red and black fur.

Want to know more about the differences and similarities? Ranger Brent will take you through!

What are the enemies of the red panda?

The red panda's natural enemies are the snow leopard and panthers. Humans are the biggest threat to these animals.

Is the red panda under threat?

Unfortunately, the red panda is threatened. Because the habitat is disappearing more and more due to deforestation of this area, the red panda has to look for other areas. Thus, he is vulnerable to danger. Due to deforestation, a lot of bamboo is also disappearing and therefore the animal's food. The red panda is also hunted for their fur. The population in the wild is declining every day.

The role of zoos is to preserve and protect of endangered species. European parks work closely together to achieve this goal and do so with an management program (EEP). The red panda is also part of this. This is how a healthy reserve population is maintained. Find out more about species conservation and our role here here.

Conservation

Not only red pandas, but many of the animal species you see in our park are endangered and struggling in their original habitats. Did you know that worldwide more than 4,000 animal species threatened with extinction are endangered? Together we can help them, with big, or small steps. Want to know how? Then click here.

Wildlife Foundation

Wildlife Foundation is committed to helping these animals in the wild, one of the ways they support Red Panda Network. Red Panda Network protects the red panda and their habitat in the Himalayan Mountains through education and cooperation with local people. Want to know more about the Wildlife Foundation? Then click here.

How does a red panda sleep?

Because of its thick fur, the red panda cannot handle heat well. As a result, the animal sleeps a lot during the day in the shade, on branches or in a hollow tree. When the red panda goes to sleep, it wraps its thick tail around itself. In this way, he uses his tail as a blanket and pillow.

How does a red panda walk?

The red panda's front legs are turned a little inward. While walking, it keeps its balance with its tail and has a slightly arched back. Can you see them walking?

What kind of sound does a red panda make?

Red pandas live almost alone. Despite living secluded from each other, they communicate with each other through smell, different movements and sounds. For example, they can let out high-pitched whistles, make growling sounds, cough, whistle, snort and blow.

Nicknames of a red panda

Because of its appearance, the red panda has received several nicknames. For example, the animal is also called "red raccoon," "red panda bear" and the "little panda.

Behavior of a red panda

The red panda is mainly active in the morning, in the evening and at night. Because of its thick fur, the animal cannot handle the warm temperatures during the day very well. During the day they are resting a lot in the trees. Red pandas live almost alone. Thus, each red panda has its own territory. They only seek each other out during mating season.

Reproduction of a red panda

Mating season is in winter during the months of December through March. The female deposits scent markings through her urine. From this, the male can smell that the female wants to mate. When the female is pregnant, she begins to make a nest from leaves, branches and grass. Often this nest is found in a hollow tree or a play of a rock. The gestation period of the red panda is about 130 days and she gives birth to one to four young.

A red panda baby

At birth, the cubs' eyes and ears are still closed. For the first week, the mother stays with her cubs as much as possible. When the cubs are about three weeks old, their ears and eyes open. After about two to three months, the young leave the nest with their mother for the first time. When the cubs are about 12 months old, they stop drinking milk from the mother and become independent.

Red pandas in the Safari park

In Safaripark Beekse Bergen you will find the red pandas along the walking safari. They have an enclosure near the lions, okapis and sloth bears.