So, when an animal is endangered, it means that it is under a threat to become extinct. Why? Because they can be few in number, or at risk of environmental changes or not capable to reproduce. Many nations take care about such species and ban their hunting and exporting.

I would like to start from Red Panda or Ailurus fulgens (“shining cat”). From the 1st sight red pandas have much in common with raccoons: almost the same length, shape of the body and long fluffy tail. The fur of red pandas is dense and very warm, it covers the whole body of an animal, and its soles as well. Tails of red pandas are long and unfortunately, very often, they are hunted namely for this fur. Also, pandas adore wrapping themselves in a tail, while it is cold.

As a rule, red pandas live in China, Myanmar and the Himalayas and prefer staying in bamboo forests, where it is not so warm. Pandas adore eating bamboo leaves, various berries, as well as bird eggs and plants. Pandas have big and strong both teeth and jaws. Special wrist formation allows them to grab bamboo stalks. Adult pandas lead solitary live. Red pandas are endangered due to habitat loss. To tell the truth, in our world there are only 2.500 left. Maximum lifespan of any panda in 14 years.

Red pandas are so important, they are the symbol of the International Tea Festival in Darjeeling. But, pandas of this kind are threatened by hunting (both for fur and for skin), deforestation (it cuts sources of food and places of living).

Funny facts:

• 1821 – the year when red pandas were discovered;
• in China red pandas are called firefoxes, because of their bright fur and resemblance with foxes;
• claws of pandas are very sharp;
• word “panda” means “bamboo eater”.