Red Panda

Red Panda Natural History

Size

On average an adult Red Panda reaches lengths of between 78 cm and 115 cm, although up to half of this may be made up by their tail. They can weigh between 3 and 6 kg.

Habitat and Distribution

The Himalayan foothills make up the habitat of this species, where they can be found from Nepal through to China, with Bhutan, Burma, India and Tibet in between. It seems to prefer mountainous areas (being found at up to 4,800 meters above sea level, where it lives in trees and dense bamboo growth.

Age

In the wild they may live to be 8 years, however in captivity 15 to 18 years is not uncommon.

Diet

The majority of their diet is made up of bamboo but they will also eat a variety of flowers, leaves, fruits, bark, eggs and small animals.

Groups and Breeding

Most of the time these animals are solitary in the wild, however pairs will often live quite happily with one another in captivity. The mating season for this species is January to March and after a 112 day to 158 day gestation the female will give birth to up to 4 cubs.

Threats

This species is endangered in the wild, with the main threats it faces being caused by humans. This species was often heavily hunted for its beautiful fur, and while this still occurs it is no longer as common as it once was. Humans however, are still encroaching on their range and destroying their habitat, which is now their biggest threat.

Interesting Facts

The Red Panda belongs in to a family of its own and even though shares its name, is not related to the Giant Pandas. It is more closely (although this is still a very distance relation) to the Weasels, Badgers, Skunks and Otters of the Mustelids superfamily.

During Your Day Out in Kent

Wingham Wildlife Park is home to a female Red Panda named Mai Xlang (affectionately known as Mai by our keepers) and a young male named Kai. They are often seen relaxing in the tree but will also generally come down for the keeper feed and talk at 1.30 each day. Mai likes the quiet life and can be a little lazy. Whilst Kai is quite curious and outgoing often coming down from the tree to see what is going on.

Back in 2015 Mai gave birth to two male cubs, which have now moved to Gaia zoo in the Netherlands. She is a part of an EEP (European Endangered Species Program) which we work closely with to conserve this species in captivity.

We supplement her diet with a specialist diet (giving her the nutrients she would get from such vast amounts of bamboo in the wild) called Panda Cakes.