We packed plenty of red panda cuteness into our Red Panda Dewdrop, but there were still a few fascinating facts that didn’t make it into the letter! So, if you’re ready for a little extra red panda knowledge, here are 5 fun facts about these adorable tree-dwellers.
1. Red pandas have a very special “thumb”
Red pandas have an enlarged wrist bone called a radial sesamoid that works a lot like an extra thumb. This handy little adaptation helps them grip branches and, especially, climb down trees headfirst.
Because apparently climbing down a tree backwards is simply not dramatic enough.
2. Red pandas are professional nappers
Red pandas can sleep for up to 17 hours a day! Since their bamboo-heavy diet doesn’t provide a lot of energy, they conserve as much as they can by spending plenty of time resting.
Honestly, they may have perfected the art of the cozy afternoon nap.
3. They’re most active around sunrise and sunset
Red pandas are crepuscular, which means they’re generally most active around dawn and dusk. These cooler hours are perfect for exploring, looking for food, and getting into whatever tiny red-panda adventures are on the agenda.
4. Red pandas groom themselves like cats
Red pandas are surprisingly meticulous groomers. They use their paws and tongues to clean their fur, much like a cat would.
So yes, this adorable little mammal has the fluffy tail, the toe beans, and the personal grooming routine.
5. Their furry paws can leave very mysterious footprints
Red pandas have thick fur covering the bottoms of their paws, which helps keep their feet warm in their chilly mountain habitat. That dense fur can also make their footprints much less distinct.
In snowy conditions, their tracks can be difficult to spot—which means these already elusive animals have a built-in little disguise for their footprints.
Still curious about red pandas?
We hope you enjoyed these five little red panda facts! If you learned something new, leave us a comment and tell us which fact surprised you the most.
And if you’d like more fun facts, nature stories, stickers, postcards, and little surprises delivered to your mailbox, come join us at Dewdrops Mail Club.
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