There are many endangered animals. The animal that I truly adore is the red panda. Aren’t they cute?

Scientific name: Ailurus Fulgens

The red panda is a bit larger than the average cat and is related to the black and white giant pandas. These adorable animals have thick reddish-brown hair and a similar characteristics to a bear and raccoon. They’re tails provide them with balance and warmth for when it gets cold. They weigh approximately 5 – 9 kg. The red panda is native to the Eastern Himalayas and Central China in rain forests and mountains. They live in cool areas. Because they are usually in trees red pandas are acrobatic animals and are very skillful. They are very playful and energetic especially at a young age. A red panda can live up to 15 years.

The red panda eats the shoots and leaves of the bamboo (unlike their relative that eats every part of it), fruits like berries, acorns and bird eggs.

They are usually by oneself except when mating. The males will fight for the females. The gestation period is approximately 112 days to 158 days. They give birth to usually 1 to 4 young and are with their mother for around 3 months. The father spends little or no time with his offspring or cub. They become mature at around months.

Red pandas are endangered because of deforestation, farming and poaching. They are captured for there fur(for hats) and body parts(as trophies). There are less than 10 000 red pandas in the world. There are many conservations set up to help the lovely creatures. Funds are in place that allow people to donate to the red panda or even adopt one.  They are closely watching for poaching activity. Consequences for the buying or selling of these precious animals can be a $1 000 fine or up to 10 years in jail.

These adorable animals are in danger of becoming extinct! I’m am very sure that everyone will miss these cute faces. 🙂