Different Species Of Pandas And Where To Find Them

There are basically 3 types of pandas but the experts identify them into 2 species only.

The giant panda and the red panda are the only two panda species found on the earth. Despite their similarity in name, the two are not scientifically connected. They share the same geographical area and similar food. Because the giant panda is a bear species, it is referred to as a “panda bear” in some places. These animals can grow to be extremely enormous, and their colouring is distinctive. They are mostly white with large black patches around their eyes, ears, and other parts of their body.

The red panda, as its name suggests, has a rusty tint and is much smaller than the other pandas. In most situations, they are similar in size and agility to domestic cats, and they prefer to dwell in rockier, more hilly terrains. In the wild, the two rarely, if ever, come into contact with one another.

 

The Giant Panda

Scientific name: Ailuropoda melanoleuca

Family: Ursidae

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Geographic Range: China (Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu)

The scientific name of the giant panda is Ailuropoda melanoleuca. Genetic and molecular studies confirm that it is indeed a true bear belonging to the Ursidae family. Known for their calm demeanor and primarily herbivorous diet, giant pandas are often considered among the gentlest of all bear species.

Pandas live mainly in temperate forests high in the mountains of southwest China, where they subsist almost entirely on bamboo. Depending on the part of the bamboo they are consuming—whether the shoots, leaves, or stems, they must eat around 26 to 84 pounds (12 to 38 kg) of it every day to meet their nutritional needs. To manage this, they rely on a unique adaptation: an enlarged wrist bone that functions like an opposable thumb, enabling them to skillfully grip and strip bamboo stalks.

An adult giant panda typically stands about 5 to 6 feet (152 to 183 cm) long. A newborn panda, however, is shockingly tiny—about the size of a stick of butter, weighing just 1/900th the size of its mother. As they grow, females typically reach up to 200 pounds (90 kg), while males can grow up to 300 pounds (136 kg). Though large, they are considerably lighter than brown bears and black bears, which may weigh from 300 to 1,500 pounds (136 to 680 kg) depending on species and region.

Pandas have a strong cultural significance in China and were once considered the most treasured animals in the emperor’s exotic menagerie.

These iconic bears spend up to 16 hours a day eating. On average, they consume about 80 pounds (36 kg) of bamboo daily. Although they are mostly herbivores, they are opportunistic feeders and may occasionally eat small rodents, birds, eggs, honey, and fruits like apples and bananas when bamboo is scarce.

Their unique paw structure, featuring a thumb-like extension and four fingers, is perfectly adapted for handling bamboo with precision. Despite their size, giant pandas are excellent climbers, adept at scaling trees and navigating steep, forested terrain in the wild.

 

The Giant Panda is found in China.

 

Qinling Panda

The Qinling panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis) is a rare subspecies of the giant panda, officially recognized in 2005. Unlike the typical black-and-white giant panda, it has brown and light brown fur, a smaller skull, and distinct eye markings below the lower eyelid.

Only 200–300 is believed to exist in the wild, found exclusively in the Qinling Mountains of China at elevations of 4,000 to 10,000 feet. Qinling pandas are slightly smaller, measuring 4–6 feet long and weighing 150–250 pounds. Though different in appearance, their diet and behavior are identical to other giant pandas.

 

Fascinating Facts About the Giant Panda

• As of a 2014 nationwide survey, only 1,864 wild giant pandas were recorded in the mountain forests of southwest China — making them a vulnerable and closely monitored species.
• Adult giant pandas typically weigh between 100 to 150 kilograms (220 to 330 pounds) and can grow up to 150 centimeters (about 5 feet) in length.
• These bears are bamboo specialists — spending up to 14 hours a day feeding and consuming as much as 38 kilograms (about 84 pounds) of bamboo daily to meet their energy needs.
• A newborn panda cub is incredibly tiny — just 1/900th the size of its mother, weighing roughly 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) at birth.
• Despite their bulk, pandas are surprisingly agile. They are excellent tree climbers and also good swimmers, skills that help them navigate their mountainous habitats.
• Habitat loss and fragmentation caused by deforestation, human encroachment, and infrastructure development are the biggest threats facing the giant panda today.

 

The Qinling Panda is found in China.

 

The Red Panda

Scientific name: Ailurus fulgens & Ailurus styani 

Family: Ailuridae

IUCN Status: Endangered

Geographic Range: Bhutan; China; India; Myanmar; Nepal

Red pandas, scientifically known as Ailurus fulgens, are not bears at all, though in earlier classification they were placed in the bear family (Ursidae) but later after scientific analysis they were placed in their own family Ailuridae which is represented by a single genus, that is Ailurus.

Two Species of Red Panda: Earlier it was believed that there are two subspecies of Red Pandas, Ailurus fulgens fulgens and Ailurus fulgens styani but later studies have suggested that there are two different species. A redder face and more distinguished rings on the tail is typically seen in what the Chinese red panda Ailurus (fulgens) would be styani, while a whiter face is typically a Himalayan red panda Ailurus (fulgens) fulgens.

Red Pandas have the appearance of a hybrid between a cat and a fox and are roughly the same size as both, yet many people believe they have a bear-like appearance, at least in the face. Their typical height is about 24 inches (61 cm), and they weigh around 13 pounds at their heaviest (5.9kg). They have long, bushy tails that they use to keep themselves warm while sleeping and for balance when climbing and swinging through the trees.

The red panda is a Chinese animal that can also be found in Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and areas of northeastern India. These animals prefer dense coniferous woods and can be found on the steeper slopes of the Himalayan Mountains rather than the lowland bamboo groves that bears enjoy. The red panda’s diet is mostly bamboo, like the giant pandas, although they also eat berries, mushrooms, acorns, and a variety of grasses.

 

The Red Panda is found in India, China, Nepal, and Bhutan.

 

Fascinating Facts About the Red Panda

1. Red Pandas Aren’t True Pandas
   Despite the name, red pandas are not closely related to giant pandas. They belong to their own unique family called Ailuridae and are the only living member of that family.
2. Why They’re Called ‘Panda’
   The name panda is believed to come from the Nepali word “ponya”, meaning “bamboo eater” or “bamboo footed” — a nod to their bamboo-based diet, which they share with the giant panda.
3. Not Bears or Raccoons
   Red pandas were once thought to be related to raccoons due to their appearance. However, modern genetic research has placed them in their own distinct family — separate from both bears and raccoons.
4. Mostly Vegetarian Carnivores
   Although red pandas have the digestive system of a carnivore, they are mostly herbivorous. Bamboo makes up about 95% of their diet, but they also eat fruits, roots, eggs, insects, and small animals on occasion.
5. Territorial and Solitary
   Red pandas are territorial animals. They mark their territory using scent from their anal glands, urine, and droppings. They are mostly solitary, though occasionally seen in pairs or small groups.
6. Their Habitat
   Red pandas inhabit the dense, moist temperate forests of the eastern Himalayas, including parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar, especially where there is thick bamboo and rhododendron undergrowth.

 

Spotting Red Pandas in the Wild

Red pandas are elusive but tracking them on foot in protected areas of India and Nepal offers one of the best chances to see them in the wild.

SINGALILA NATIONAL PARK | RED PANDAS IN INDIA –  Singalila National Park in West Bengal, nestled in the Eastern Himalayas of West Bengal, is one of the best places in India to spot the elusive and charming red panda in its natural habitat. These rare mammals thrive in the park’s cool, moist temperate forests, which are rich in bamboo and rhododendron undergrowth—ideal for their diet and shelter. Sightings of red pandas here are considered special, as the animals are naturally shy, solitary, and mostly arboreal. However, with experienced trackers and patience, wildlife enthusiasts can observe them clambering through moss-laden trees or foraging on the forest floor. The park’s elevation, ranging from 2,100 to 3,600 meters, offers the perfect environment for these endangered animals, making Singalila a prime destination for red panda tracking and eco-tourism.

 

Reach Singalila National Park

Singalila National Park is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, along the Singalila Ridge near the India-Nepal border. Here’s how you can reach the park:

By Road (From Darjeeling)

• Darjeeling to Manebhanjan: Approximately 26 km via Ghoom and Sukhiapokhri. You can hire a private taxi or take a shared jeep; the journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Manebhanjan to Singalila National Park: From Manebhanjan, you can hire a 4WD vehicle or trek to enter the park. The park’s southern entry point is at Manebhanjan.

By Air

• Nearest Airport: Bagdogra International Airport (IXB), approximately 100 km from Manebhanjan.
• From Bagdogra: Hire a taxi to reach Manebhanjan; the drive takes about 4 hours. ​By Train

• Nearest Major Railway Station: New Jalpaiguri (NJP), about 100 km from Manebhanjan.
• From NJP: Take a taxi or shared vehicle to reach Manebhanjan. ​Trekking

• Popular Trek: The Sandakphu-Phalut trek starts from Manebhanjan and passes through Singalila National Park, offering stunning views of the Himalayas.​ 

 

 Brief Comparison between Giant Panda, Red Panda, and Qinling Panda

	Giant Panda	Red Panda	Qinling Panda
Height	1.5-1.8 m	0.6 m	1.2 – 1.5 m
Weight	91 Kg	3 – 6 Kg	70 – 80 Kg
Fur	White & Black	Red & Black	White & Brown
Found in	China	India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar	China