Himalayan red panda

The Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a small, raccoon-like mammal found in the mountain forests of the Himalayas and surrounding areas of eastern Asia. It is about the size of a large domestic cat and has reddish-brown fur with dark undersides, a white face with red-brown stripes, and a bushy, ringed tail.12

Red pandas primarily eat bamboo, fruits, and insects. While once thought to be related to the giant panda, it is now classified as the sole member of the Ailuridae family, with closer ties to raccoons, skunks, and weasels. There are two subspecies: the Himalayan red panda and the Chinese red panda, with some scientists suggesting they may be distinct species. These animals are agile climbers and are typically nocturnal, living alone or in small family groups.12