Red panda: A bamboo-lover that is not a panda's cousin

With its reddish-brown fur, round ears and long fluffy tail, the red panda looks utterly adorable. Many people assume it is part of the giant panda's family, but it actually forms its own family, and is more loosely related to raccoons and weasels. Let's meet this "little red ball" of the Himalayas.

Its body

The red panda has a thick reddish-brown coat that keeps it warm in the cold mountains. Its curved claws grip branches well, so it spends most of its time in trees. One of its most endearing habits is sleeping with its long tail wrapped around itself, like a scarf. The soles of its paws are even furred, helping it walk on damp, slippery branches.

Where it lives and what it eats

The red panda eats almost nothing but bamboo, plus the occasional egg, insect or fruit. Because bamboo is not very nutritious, it must eat large amounts of leaves and shoots. It is mostly solitary, active at dawn and dusk, and rests in trees during the day.

Where it is found

Red pandas live in the Himalayan region of Asia, including south-west China, Nepal and Bhutan. Habitat loss has led to it being listed as endangered. Protecting bamboo groves and mountain forests is vital for its survival.

A note for grown-ups

You could look with a child at the red panda's tail and imagine it curled up like a scarf at bedtime. Such warm little details help a child feel close to an animal — and affection is often the first step to protection.