It’s a fox! It’s a raccoon! Nope, it’s the equally as elusive and adorable critter known as the red panda. Many refer to red pandas as the “lesser panda” (which sounds a little rude if you ask me) due to its smaller size in comparison to the more well-known giant panda. Though lesser in size, they’re no lesser in their cuteness and tactful nature.
A mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, red pandas are known for their thick coat of reddish-brown fur, black underbelly, white capped ears, white muzzle and ringed tail. Contrary to their name, red pandas genetically fall closer in line with weasels, raccoons and skunks than they do with panda bears.
Though, their similarity with the latter lies in their elongated wrist bones used for grasping bamboo in the coniferous forests they inhabit. You can typically find red pandas poised high up in the treetops, which their flexible joints and semi-retractable claws allow them to easily scale.
Since 2015, the animal has been named endangered on the IUCN Red List due to harmful practices of deforestation. Currently, the animal is protected in all range countries, and community-based programs have been established in Nepal, northeastern India and China to conserve the red panda population.
This past year saw an abundance of red panda appreciation as one of the most successful animated films, Disney-Pixar’s “Turning Red,” featured a girl named Mei Lee who turns into a huge red panda whenever her emotions run high. Across the world, people are showcasing their love for the animal through gorgeous tattoos, all of which perfectly encapsulate red pandas’ delightfully cunning attributes. With hopes of prosperity for red pandas for years to come, here are some outstanding tattoos of none other than the precious creatures.
