The Red Bamboozler
YOU GOT BAMBOOZLED!
They call me the bamboozler because I’m easily underestimated just like my favorite animal, the red panda! Their other nicknames include the firefox and the “lesser panda” because they are much smaller than the “giant panda.” I prefer the name “first panda” because they were discovered fifty years earlier, and their ancestors lived as far back as 5 million years ago. Although they look cute and innocent, they have special abilities that help them fool would-be predators and captors, including camouflage fur and impressive climbing abilities — they can clamber down a fir tree headfirst! I’ve been working on it, and I’ll be the first to admit: it isn’t as easy as it looks!
I’m a bit of a loner like my red panda buds! Red pandas don’t associate with other red pandas except during the breeding season. They were once thought to be related to bears or raccoons, but sadly it turns they are the only living member of my taxonomic family, Ailurus. And while they don’t have many direct relatives, I think that makes them even more special.
RED HOT FACTS
The Mozilla Firefox mascot is a red panda. They are famous!
They are the only non-primate known to be able to taste artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Sweet!
PANDAMONIUM
Although mostly silent, the red panda sometimes make a high-pitched twittering sound to communicate with other red pandas. They can also snort and hiss when threatened. And, they are masters of non-verbal communication.
RED LISTED
Red pandas are listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. There are fewer than 10,000 red pandas left in the wild. Their habitats are threatened by climate change and deforestation. One of the worst offenders is the yak cheese industry (leave those yaks alone!) in the Himalayas. They also have to worry about being trafficked in the illegal red panda pet and fur trade across Asia and beyond. How could you wear something so cute?
That’s why, even though I’m usually more of a lone ranger, I decided to join Animal R.I.O.T to fight for red panda rights and the rights of all animals!
You can support the red panda here:
