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    Wild Windows · Red Panda

    Red Panda

    Ailurus fulgens

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    ENEndangeredAlso known as: Lesser Panda, Bear Cat, Fire Fox, Golden Dog, Himalayan Red Panda

    A small, mostly arboreal mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. Despite the name, red pandas are not closely related to giant pandas — they are the sole living member of their own family, Ailuridae.

    Natural History

    Habitat

    Temperate forests with dense bamboo understory at elevations of 2,200 to 4,800 meters in Nepal, India, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar.

    Diet

    Primarily bamboo, supplemented with berries, acorns, eggs, and small mammals.

    Lifespan

    8 to 10 years in the wild.

    Behavior

    Mostly solitary and crepuscular. Skilled climbers — they descend trees headfirst with rotating ankle joints. Communicate with high-pitched twitters and whistles.

    Classroom Facts

    • Red pandas have a "false thumb" similar to the giant panda's for gripping bamboo.
    • They sleep curled up with their bushy tail wrapped around them like a blanket.
    • Fewer than 10,000 red pandas remain in the wild.

    Use This With

    Free classroom resources for red panda.

    Printable, photocopy-friendly, designed by educators. Pair them with any cam featuring this species.

    Ethogram

    Behavior Observation Ethogram — Mammal Edition

    Research-style ethogram for grades 6–12. Two pages: definitions of 12 mammal behaviors, plus a 30-minute one-zero observation log students fill in during a cam watch. Compatible with our giant panda, African elephant, sea otter, African lion, polar bear, mountain gorilla, and red panda pages.

    Grades
    6-8, 9-12
    Duration
    45 min
    Subjects
    biology, ecology, data_collection
    Download PDF
    Species Card

    Species ID Cards — Mammals

    A printable deck of illustrated identification cards for the mammals featured across Wild Windows cams — common name, scientific name, conservation status, range, and a standout fact. Cut them out for a sorting activity or a matching game.

    Grades
    3-5, 6-8
    Duration
    20 min
    Subjects
    biology, ecology
    Download PDF