Red pandas are considered endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the organization that determines the conservation status of plant and animal species. Males take little or no interest in the cubs, leaving the cub-rearing to the mothers. They typically give birth to one to four cubs that remain with them for about 90 days. They don’t have a big window: females are only fertile for a couple of days a year. This smelly liquid also serves another purpose: Males release it to mark their territory when searching for a mate in winter and early spring. Red pandas even have two layers of fur-a soft undercoat covered with coarse hairs-to insulate them from the mountain chill, and they use their long tail as a wraparound blanket. This helps them quickly escape predators like snow leopards and jackals, which may have difficulty seeing the animals to begin with: Their coats match the moss clumps that grow on their tree homes, and their black bellies make it difficult for predators to spot them from the ground. These animals have adapted incredibly well to their environment: They have sharp, semi-retractable claws that help them grip slippery branches, and their flexible ankles give them the unique ability to climb down trees headfirst. They spend the vast majority of their lives in trees, where they sleep and sunbathe. Red pandas live in the rainy mountain forests of Nepal, India, Bhutan, northern Myanmar (Burma), and central China. The Chinese red panda is a bit larger and has more distinct rings on its fluffy tail. While originally thought to be two subspecies-the Himalayan red panda and the Chinese red panda-growing evidence suggests they may be two distinct species instead. Taxonomists previously assigned them to both the raccoon family and the bear family, but DNA research later revealed that they belong to their own unique family (Ailuridae) and genus ( Ailurus). Red pandas, which grow to about the size of a house cat, are impressive acrobats that climb and swing on trees in their Asian forest homes, and they once sparked fierce debate about their relationship to giant pandas. Red pandas have shot to viral fame for their adorable looks, but there’s a lot more to these elusive animals than their kitten-like faces and striking reddish-brown coats. Current Population Trend: Decreasing About red pandas
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