Key Points:
- The red panda is the original panda species.
- Unlike giant pandas, red pandas are not closely related to bears and are actually more closely related to raccoons and weasels.
- Red pandas rely heavily on bamboo as a food source, with it making up 98% of their diet.
Welcome to the Red Panda Quiz!
This is where you can put your knowledge of this adorable and endangered mammal to the test!
Red pandas, commonly referred to as smaller pandas, are indigenous to Nepal, India, and Bhutan in the Himalayan area. They are not related to giant pandas despite their name; rather, they share a closer genetic affinity with raccoons and weasels.
So, if you think you’re an expert on red pandas, or if you’re just curious to learn more, take this quiz and see what you know!
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What is the scientific name of the red panda?
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What is the habitat of the red panda?
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What is the diet of the red panda?
Five Cool Facts About Red Pandas
People all across the world are fascinated by red pandas, a rare and intriguing type of mammal. These diminutive, bushy-tailed creatures are indigenous to the Himalayan countries of Nepal, India, and Bhutan, and are prized for their amusing dispositions and striking patterns.
With that said, here are five cool facts about red pandas:
- Red pandas are the first panda species.
- They are not related to giant pandas, but to raccoons and weasels.
- Red pandas’ diet is mostly bamboo, making up 98% of their diet.
- Despite their herbivorous diet, red pandas are classified as carnivores.
- They have a unique appearance, with a body resembling a bear and a face that looks like a cat.
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What is the average weight of a red panda?
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What is the average length of a red panda?
How do Red Pandas Behave?
Red pandas are solitary, arboreal, and crepuscular animals. They spend most of the day resting in trees to conserve their energy and are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. Red pandas are typically solitary animals, however, during breeding season they form pairs.
Because they are nocturnal animals in captivity, pandas rarely interact with humans. Even red pandas that have been nurtured by hand have been known to become hostile toward their carers.
Apart from the breeding season, they lead lonely lives and are very territorial. Their red coloring (and cute face), long bushy tails, and raccoon-like traits make them easily recognizable. They are skilled tree climbers and can descend trees head first.
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What is the gestation period of the red panda?
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What is the scientific name of the giant panda?
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What is the difference between a giant panda and a red panda?
Where Do Red Pandas Get Their Color?
Red Pandas are protected from predators by their red and black coloring. The color of the moss on the trees where they live matches the red on their backs exactly. It’s hard to notice them from below with the black on their tummy.
Current genomic research reveals that the Chinese red panda and the Himalayan red panda are two separate species of red panda Himalayan red pandas are often smaller and have lighter-colored fur, while Chinese red pandas typically have redder faces and more distinct tail rings.
Furthermore, with a black belly and legs, the red panda’s coat is primarily red or orange-brown in color. The bushy tail features red and buff ring patterns and a dark brown tip, while the nose, cheeks, brows, and inner ear margins are largely white.
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What is the diet of the giant panda?
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What is the conservation status of the red panda?
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What is the conservation status of the giant panda?
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What type of behavior suits the red panda?
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What characteristic is unique to the red panda?
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