Pandas are the some of the most beloved animals in the world. With a habitat in east Asia, they feed mostly on bamboo. Giant pandas eat more bamboo than red pandas. Red pandas feed on young, tender bamboo, and, when the weather is warm enough, insects and fruit, such as cherries, and very rarely they are known to kill and eat small birds and small mammals. Giant pandas eat only bamboo, but eat more of the plant than red pandas.

Red pandas are related to weasels, otters, badgers, skunks and raccoons; though all of those animals have evolved from each other for a long time. They share their ringed tail and mask-like face pattern with raccoons, and they share their fur texture and color black, for the most part. Some say they are also related to giant pandas. It depends on who you ask what family they are a part of.

Giant pandas have been a debate for a long time. Are they bears? Are they related to Red pandas? Are they their own species? The truth is it depends on who you ask. Pandas I think should just be their own family, both species. It would resolve confusion and it isn’t really a big deal in my opinion. Just like koalas, everyone debates if they are bears or not. (Don’t worry pandas(both kinds) you are not alone. Koalas are here to join you.)

Unfortunately, these animals are endangered. One of these reasons is because Pandas are only able to get pregnant for a 2-3 day period, and being a solitary animal doesn’t help the situation much either. Also, they are only able to reproduce once they reach 4-8 years of age, and the average lifespan of a panda is about 20 years. Habitat destruction is also a reason. Animalfactguide.com states that there are only about 2060 wild pandas left, so help save them!

Red pandas are also endangered. While giant pandas remain with 2,060, Smithsonian National Zoo estimates that there are about 2,500 red pandas live wild as of April, 2017. Loss of habitat is one reason, a similar trait to giant pandas. Another similar reason is their breeding habits. High rates of inbreeding have caused their populations to dwindle. Like rhino’s, however, they are being illegally hunted by poachers. Their fur is valued for it’s warmth and softness.

Wild pandas are found in Asia. giant pandas are found solely in China. There are five regions in China that giant pandas can be found in Qinling, Gansu, Sichuan, Minshan, and Shaanxi. Red pandas are much more widespread. They live in a larger area and many more countries: China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Burma. In China they can be found in the regions Sichuan, Tibet, and Yunnan.

Pandas are very beloved. Personally, I like Red pandas more, but I think Giant pandas are more loved by the majority of people. If you’ve never seen a picture of one, find one. You need it.