The first written mention of this animal dates back to the 13th century. They were found in sources in China. Europeans only found out about him after six centuries. This was the merit of the English naturalist, General Thomas Hardwick. The animal was called Alurus fulqens, which means "shining cat."
The ancestors of today's ginger pandas were very widespread. Their remains are found in eastern Europe, in North America. Probably the animals were adapted to a specific climate. With its change, their habitat has been greatly reduced.
Appearance description
The small animal, the small panda (the red panda - its second name) has an elongated torso. The length of his body is not more than 64 cm, and the tail can reach a length of 48 cm. Females weigh an average of 5 kg, males - 6 kg. The head is wide, with a sharp short muzzle and neat small ears, rounded. Paws are strong, but short, with semi-retractable claws. Thanks to them, the redhead panda easily climbs the trees and just as easily descends from them.
The back of the panda is covered with red or walnut color, the lower part of the body is darker, with a brown tint or even black. The legs are glossy black, the fluffy red tail with narrow rings, the head covered with very light hair, the edges of the ears and the pretty face are white, and the eyes are framed by a masked pattern. This red panda is very similar to a raccoon. Interestingly, in each individual, this pattern is completely unique. This wonderful camouflage really helps animals, spending most of their lives on trees covered with lichens and mosses.
Subspecies
Today, the small red panda is divided into two groups. The first is the western panda. She lives in the west of Nepal, Bhutan. The second panda subspecies is common in southern China and northern Myanmar.
The small panda Styana is much larger and much darker than her relative from the western territories.
In vivo, the red panda today is found only in some areas of China (Sichuan and Yunnan), Bhutan, Nepal, in northern Burma. It is also quite rare, but this animal can be found in northern India.
Habitat
Probably, many are interested in where this red-haired baby lives. Panda prefers to live in coniferous forests. Most often they choose fir. The main food of the red panda is bamboo.
Lifestyle
The redhead panda spends a significant, and possibly most of her life on trees. Here she feels very comfortable. The animal descends to the ground only in order to obtain food. More active panda redhead in the evening. In the afternoon, she settles in a hollow tree and sleeps sweetly.
While on a tree, a long tail helps her maintain balance. On the ground, the panda holds him straight, so he does not touch the ground.
Each adult panda, regardless of whether it is male or female, has its own territory, and considerable. In males it reaches 5 square kilometers, in females - half as much. They mark it with special marks, and thanks to this, the animals immediately understand who lives next to him in the neighborhood.
Adult pandas live alone, uniting in families during the breeding season. He comes in January.
Progeny
Panda cubs are born between 90 and 145 days after conception. However, a “true” pregnancy lasts 50 days. This can be explained by the fact that the fetus begins to actively develop only after a certain time after mating.
Before the birth, the female builds a nest in a crevice of a rock or a hollow of a tree. As a rule, the redhead panda gives birth to 1-2 cubs. Sometimes there are even more babies, but only one of them survives.
Cubs develop rather slowly. Until the age of five months, they feed only on mother's milk.
At first, their fur has a light gray color. A red tint begins to appear after three months of age. Toddlers can stay with their mother for up to 1 year, until new babies appear. Usually at this time, young individuals themselves become sexually mature and begin an independent life.
Number
Today, the small panda is included in the Red Book with the status of "Endangered". The species is considered endangered. According to various sources, the number of these animals ranges from 2500 to 10000 individuals in the world. In nature, the panda's density of residence is low, and besides, its settlements are easy to destroy - for example, when deforestation. Animals are ruthlessly exterminated by poachers, which, of course, does not contribute to an increase in livestock. Over the past 50 years, the number of small pandas in areas adjacent to the Himalayan mountains has decreased by 40%.
Enemies
Fortunately, the panda has few. This is mainly a man and a snow leopard. From their four-legged enemy, furry animals can climb a tree and thus escape, and it is much more difficult to hide from a person. Hunters (and poachers) are attracted by the beautiful fur of these animals, from which hats are made.
Red Panda at the Moscow Zoo
These animals actively breed in captivity. In zoos, all the necessary conditions for active development are created for them. This red-haired baby (panda) is well tamed. To date, approximately 350 animals are in 85 zoos in the world. In nature, the panda lives for about 8-10 years, while in zoos, the life expectancy of animals reaches 15 years.
In some areas of Nepal and India, the ginger panda is kept in homes as a pet. However, it must be said that this is completely unacceptable. Even in the zoo, under the supervision of specialists, it is quite difficult to keep the animal, but at home it is almost impossible, because of the unusual diet. With improper feeding, pandas die from intestinal diseases.
In the Moscow zoo, in the pavilion "Cats of the Tropics", there was a charming red panda named Zane. The Fiery Cat is unusually good. She came from Dublin, spent a month and a half in quarantine. Now she is pleased with her view of visitors.
The ability to see a panda in motion increases in the afternoon, closer to evening - it leads an evening or night lifestyle. You may be lucky and you will hear her singing, similar to the twitter of a bird.
Zane stubbornly avoids cameras and camera flashes. In a spacious aviary, she sits, turning away from prying eyes, and hides her cunning face in a fluffy red tail.
Today, many lovers of exotic animals strive to ensure that the red panda, the price of which ranges from three to five thousand rubles, becomes their pet. However, it should be said once again that these animals will not be able to live at home, so you doom the animal to inevitable death.
Small red panda is a rare, little studied animal. The debate of scientists about what kind of animal should be attributed to this still does not cease.