National Red Panda Day- September 16, 2023

Written By: Andrew Connolly

​Do you wish you slept more than 12 hours a day on average? Well then, you might want to look to the Red Panda for inspiration! Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is excited to celebrate International Red Panda Day on 9/16/2023, held annually on the third Saturday of September, and to celebrate the resident Red Panda who calls the zoo home. 
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​The Red Panda is classified as Endangered by the IUCN due to human caused threats like deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and the illegal pet trade. These red furred endangered animals can grow upwards of 3 and a half feet, with a long bushy tail extending behind them. Native to the Himalayan region, they can be found among densely forested thickets with bamboo on remote mountain sides. They eat bamboo shoots and leaves, alongside berries, blossoms, and bird eggs. Check out some cool facts below to learn more about this amazing animal!

​Red Panda Fast Facts:

• They can live anywhere from 8 years in the wild to 15 in human care.
• Their sharp claws can be used to defend themselves when threatened!
• They can release strong odors from glands at the base of their tail to deter predators.
• The Red Panda lives 7,000-12,0000 feet above sea level[i]!

Red Pandas have a modified wrist bone that acts as a sixth digit, similar to a thumb. 


[i] https://www.scirp.org/html/5-1380305_51966.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7487235/