NAME:
The small mammal commonly referred to as a red panda, grows to about the size of house cat. The scientific name for a red panda is ailrus fulgens and is also is used for its two subspecies ailurus fulgens fulgens and ailurus fulgens styani. (9) |
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ECONOMIC VALUE:
The red panda is an economic species to humans because it is used for clothing in the Chinese culture. The Chinese make fur hats for newlyweds out of the fur from the red panda. (11)
SIZE:
The average head and body size is 50 – 65cm and the average tail length is 30 – 50cm. The average red panda weighs 12 – 20lbs.(10)
COLOUR:
The colours of most of the red panda – back of ears, limbs, and underparts – are dark reddish brown to black. On its face there are dark circles and patches around its eyes. (9)
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EXTERNAL FEATURES:
The red panda has distinct external features about it that make it unique. The back legs of the red panda are straight whereas the front legs of are angled inward which creates some waddling when it walks. The red pandas paws have hairy soles with semi-retractable claws and an extra pseudo-thumb on each forepaw. |
| The red panda also has a soft, dense and wooly undercoat covered with long rusty fur. One of its most distinct features is its long, ringed bushy tail. The shape of a red pandas face is similar to a raccoons. It’s face has a short white muzzle, long white whiskers on each side of its face and pointed ears on top.(9) |
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