Lesser (or red) panda
Red panda are very cute and beautiful animals that look a lot like teddy bears. But they are not bears, they are a special kind of panda! They are called "red" because of their soft red-brown fur. In China, however, the red panda is called the "fire fox" because of its beautiful colour and fox-like size. They have long, fluffy tails that they use as a blanket when they get cold.
Red pandas are as big as a big domestic cat. They like to spend time in trees, and they have very nimble paws that they use to climb to the very top. They have sharp claws on their paws that they can hide like cats. And the panda also has a special "extra toe" that helps it hold onto bamboo branches. But the most important thing is the pattern around the panda's eyes, which each panda has its own, unique pattern.
What do you think they like to eat the most? If you said bamboo, you're absolutely right! They eat the leaves and stems of bamboo, as well as berries, roots and even insects. Pandas have to eat a lot of bamboo every day to stay fed and healthy.
Sleepy climbers
Red pandas are very slow and quiet. They most like to rest on tree branches, enjoying the warm sunshine during the day, and at night they spend their time actively looking for something tasty. But even though they are so slow and quiet, red pandas know how to take care of themselves very well. If they see danger, they can quickly climb a tree and hide.
So here they are, red pandas - gentle, calm and cute creatures that love to hang in trees and eat bamboo!
The fire fox family
Red pandas prefer to live alone, each panda has its own patch of forest. Sometimes they leave signs to let other pandas know it's their territory.
When it's time to become a mum, the panda builds a cosy nest of twigs and leaves. A mum panda gives birth to 1-2 small cubs. When they are born, they are very small and weigh about 100 grams, like a small apple. They can't see or hear and need time to grow and become big and strong.
Growing and learning
Baby pandas grow slowly. Their eyes don't open until 18 days after birth. When they are three months old, their fur turns red like an adult panda's and they start eating regular food instead of milk. They spend a lot of time with their mum and she teaches them many things. These little pandas stay with their mum until winter or even the whole year.
