Animal Guide

Chinese Red Panda

25 destinations · 17 states

Native Range: Eastern Himalayas and southwestern China

The Chinese red panda is a small, reddish-brown tree dweller that can be surprisingly easy to miss when it curls up on a branch. Its ringed tail, rounded face, and white markings around the eyes give it a distinctive look, but watching how it moves is even more rewarding. Red pandas are excellent climbers, using flexible ankles and sharp claws to descend tree trunks headfirst. Much of their diet is bamboo, so an individual may spend long periods perched quietly while using its paws to pull leaves and shoots toward its mouth. They also eat fruit, insects, eggs, and other small foods when available. Their long, bushy tails help with balance and can be wrapped around the body for warmth while resting. Red pandas are generally solitary, so a calm animal exploring an exhibit at its own pace is typical. At a zoo, watch the feet when one starts climbing. The ability to move confidently along branches and down trunks reveals just how well this little mammal is adapted to life in cool mountain forests.

Chinese Red Panda

Where to see Chinese Red Panda

25 destinations across 17 states

25 destinations

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