10 Surprising Facts About Red Pandas That Will Melt Your Heart

Red pandas are some of the cutest animals out there! They are such adorable creatures with numerous interesting traits. For example, did you know that they are not closely related to actual giant pandas? Interesting facts like this make learning about red pandas even more fascinating. Read below to learn 10 unique and interesting facts about red pandas!

1. Red Pandas Were the Original Pandas

Red pandas are not directly related to giant pandas, but were the first pandas! We often call giant pandas just “panda,” but it is the red panda that deserves the single name. They were first scientifically described in 1825, about 50 years before the description of the giant panda. The name “panda” is believed to come from the Nepalese words “nigalya ponya,” which means “bamboo eater.” So while we envision a black and white animal when we think of a panda, it was a different animal that was first to get the name!

2. Firefox Based Its Logo on Them

This fact is a bit complicated, but even with Fox in the name, the Firefox logo is actually a red panda. There are many reasons why this is the case, such as branding changes in the early 2000s and internet fads about red pandas, but it is mostly attributed to the Chinese language. With Firefox rebranding from “Firebird,” the red panda quickly became an idea as the mascot. In Chinese, red pandas are called “huǒ hú” (火狐), which literally translates to fire fox. So while the logo may look like a fox, it is a red panda that is the mascot.

3. They Have a “False Thumb”

Rather than five digits on their hand like other mammals, red pandas have six! They have a pseudo thumb that is actually a modified wrist bone. This bone is found similarly in giant pandas as well. While they both have the pseudo thumbs, they have evolved for slightly different reasons. Giant pandas primarily use theirs for eating bamboo, while it is believed that red pandas evolved that way for climbing! This unique evolutionary trait helps red pandas in great ways!

4. They’re Crepuscular

Red pandas have very different sleeping patterns from most, as they are crepuscular. Crepuscular means that an animal is active during the twilight hours of dusk and dawn. It differs from nocturnal animals as they are not active throughout the entire night. They have evolved this way due to their metabolism and diet. Their slow metabolism and low-nutrient diet of bamboo make it important for them to conserve energy, something the hot sun makes a bit difficult. Because of this, they are most active at dusk and dawn when there is a little light, but not a lot of heat.

5. Red Pandas Have Unique Ankle Rotations

Red pandas are extremely good at climbing trees and other surfaces, largely thanks to their super flexible ankles. Red pandas have highly flexible ankle joints that allow them to rotate their feet significantly, enabling them to descend trees headfirst. This is very helpful, specifically because it lets the pandas climb headfirst down trees. This ability is especially helpful because it allows red pandas to climb down trees headfirst, giving them a better view for navigation and increasing their safety in the wild. Their ankles and sharp claws make them some of the best climbers out there.

6. They Have Low Genetic Diversity

Red pandas have experienced challenges that have led to low genetic diversity. Habitat loss and damage led to large population loss, resulting in more inbreeding. This has sadly caused more health issues for them, making the population shrink even more. Conservation methods involving captive breeding are being used to help support the population.

7. Their Scientific Category Has Changed A Lot

In taxonomy, the branch of science that classifies living organisms, red pandas were initially difficult to categorize. These pandas have a difficult-to-track evolutionary lineage, making it hard for scientists to find connections to other animals. They have been classified as bears and raccoons before finally being put in their own, unique family, “Ailuridae.”

8. They Have Unique Taste Receptors

While red pandas are classified as carnivores, they are mostly herbivores! Their majority bamboo diet has resulted in a herbivore palate. This dietary shift has also led to changes in their bodies over time. Red pandas have non-functioning umami taste receptors, which are responsible for detecting the taste of meat. As red pandas evolved, they lost the gene responsible for the functioning of these receptors, meaning that they cannot taste umami in meats. They are still in the carnivore classification based on their evolutionary lineage.

9. They Use Their Tails For Heat

Red pandas conserve heat by curling up and covering their faces with their bushy tails, which helps them survive in cold, mountainous climates. This behavior is similar to other mammals living in cold environments. Red pandas live in the Himalayas and other mountainous regions, making it important for them to maintain a warm body temperature!

10. Red Pandas Groom Themselves Like Cats

The last fact on this list is a fun and cute one: they groom just like cats. Just like how cats enjoy staying clean, red pandas do the same. They like to groom themselves after waking up or eating to stay clean. This helps them to maintain their adorable appearance that we all love. Red pandas are pretty amazing animals! Hopefully, reading this, you’ve learned something new about red pandas.