10 Interesting Facts About Red Pandas
Red pandas are small mammals with long, fluffy tails and red and white markings. Though they share a name with the more famous giant panda, they are not closely related. In fact, the name ‘panda’ was first applied to these animals, and not to the larger black-and-white bear.
Classified as endangered, there are fewer than 10,000 in the wild with the largest threats listed as poaching and loss of habitat. It’s estimated that there’s been a 40% decrease in numbers over the last 50 years alone.
Here Are Some Interesting Facts About Red Pandas.
1. A Mostly-Vegetarian Carnivore
Although classified as a carnivore, red pandas mainly eat bamboo leaves, and they eat a lot of it! This is because red pandas can digest only about 24 percent of the bamboo they eat. They also eat grass and fruit and occasionally an egg, insect or small animal.
