The Red Panda, otherwise known scientifically as Ailurus fulgens, reproduces sexually and is generally shy and self-contained except when mating. Red Pandas become sexually mature at around 18 months and the approximate gestation period is around 130 days. Births typically occur in spring and summer, although the majority occur in June where the female will have anywhere from one to five cubs with the average being two cubs. The size of the litter, however, does not affect the gestation length (Roberts & Gittleman 1984).
Several days before giving birth the female will begin to collect materials for nesting sites. These include materials such as sticks, grasses, and leaves to be placed in hollow trees or rock crevices. The female may continue to build the nest after the young are born but this behavior varies from animal to animal. It was found that females in captivity would adopt nest boxes placed on the ground, hollow, logs, and other artificial dens to be used as their nesting sites (Roberts & Gittleman 1984). …show more content…
Therefore, cubs remain essentially immobile after birth with the exception of nursing. Around the two week mark, long reddish hairs appear giving the panda its signature color it is named after. Cubs feed exclusively on bamboo until they are old enough for their stomachs to handle other foods. Females may recognize their cubs via olfactory cues which are established just after birth. After about a year, cubs will reach their full adult size however, there is a high mortality rate in young Red Pandas similar to that of other mammals. Thus, mortality rates decline as age increases (Roberts & Gittleman
Several days before giving birth the female will begin to collect materials for nesting sites. These include materials such as sticks, grasses, and leaves to be placed in hollow trees or rock crevices. The female may continue to build the nest after the young are born but this behavior varies from animal to animal. It was found that females in captivity would adopt nest boxes placed on the ground, hollow, logs, and other artificial dens to be used as their nesting sites (Roberts & Gittleman 1984). …show more content…
Therefore, cubs remain essentially immobile after birth with the exception of nursing. Around the two week mark, long reddish hairs appear giving the panda its signature color it is named after. Cubs feed exclusively on bamboo until they are old enough for their stomachs to handle other foods. Females may recognize their cubs via olfactory cues which are established just after birth. After about a year, cubs will reach their full adult size however, there is a high mortality rate in young Red Pandas similar to that of other mammals. Thus, mortality rates decline as age increases (Roberts & Gittleman