Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS
September 15, 2017
A Tale of Two Pandas
- as seen by -
Nora Beirne
What’s the difference between giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and red pandas (Ailurus fulgens)? Pretty much everything except their diet and habitat. But while the “lesser” panda might lack the recognition of its black and white counterpart, it was actually scientifically described nearly 50 years earlier and is no less extraordinary.
Like giant pandas, red pandas (above) mainly eat bamboo, occasionally snacking on nuts, fruits, and other assorted items. But, for an herbivore, these endearing little animals are notoriously ill-equipped to process vegetation. They cannot digest cellulose, a major component of leaves and shoots, which means they gain very little nutrients from their food. To compensate, wild red pandas spend over 10 hours a day grazing, and must consume close to 30% of their body weight daily.
Unlike ground-dwelling giant pandas, red pandas spend most of their time in trees. Semi-retractable claws as sharp as fishhooks allow them to cling to branches like Velcro. Their flexible ankles also rotate so they can descend trees face-first instead of needing to back their way to the ground. And while giant pandas are classified as bears, red pandas are the only living member of their taxonomic family – Ailuridae. How’s that for unique?
EDITOR’S NOTE: Every year, the third Saturday in September is International Red Panda Day, a time to learn more about these appealing mammals and how to conserve them. Visit the Central Park Zoo, Bronx Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo to see red pandas, or check your local zoo.
Nikon D5
Leave a Comment
John stahl
September 16, 2017 at 7:58 am
Nora…a super image of the little cutie. Red Pandas are favorites of mine. I always seek them out in the Bronx after first checking out the Snow Leopards which are my main addiction.
Julie Larsen Maher
November 6, 2017 at 10:39 am
Thanks, John. WCS has red pandas at Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo. We hope you get some good photos for sharing at all three parks!
Josep Maria Maria Rocas
September 17, 2021 at 10:23 am
I love animals.
Salem A
September 17, 2021 at 10:31 am
Red pandas are so cute, they’re one of my favorite animals.
BOUASSOUSSOU Jeancy amen
September 17, 2021 at 12:01 pm
Bonjour,
Je sollicite un stage de professionnel et j’aime la conservation des aires protégées
Marlene Schemmel
September 17, 2021 at 2:24 pm
Learned some new things about pandas! Thanks!
They are interesting to watch.
Eleanor McDonald
September 17, 2021 at 4:17 pm
Wish the NYC zoos program was back on tv w/ new episodes. Miss watching the programs w/ the wonderful animals in all the zoos there. Would love one w/ the Red Pandas!
Judy W Price
September 17, 2021 at 5:59 pm
Absolutely adorable!
andrea alampi
September 17, 2021 at 8:13 pm
Thank you for the Red Panda. I have my Red panda Central Park NY magnet on my refrigerator.Be well red panda see you soon.
robert stevens
September 17, 2021 at 11:08 pm
would be nice if the type in your article was big enough to read
R Troy
September 18, 2021 at 2:47 am
Red pandas are my favorite WCS species. While in the Bronx, they can be hard to see – except when the hang out on a branch right in front of you, in Central Park, they can be amazingly lively and fun to watch, though often hard to photograph. They do have crazy personalities!
Linda milan
September 18, 2021 at 5:59 pm
They are so beautiful