Information on How Giant Pandas & Red Pandas Are Different

There are two different species of panda---the giant panda and the red panda---and both are native to China. The red panda, sometimes referred to as "the lesser panda," was the first to be named "panda" by zoologists. There are many differences between giant pandas and red pandas, including size, color, diet and reproductive habits.

  1. Size

    • Unlike their giant relatives, red pandas rarely weigh more than 20 pounds.

      As its name suggests, the giant panda is the larger of the two species. Giant pandas may weigh nearly 400 pounds, while red pandas generally weigh 20 pounds or less. In order to maintain their weight, giant pandas must eat more than red pandas and may spend up to 12 hours a day feeding.

    Color

    • Red pandas have red fur and a banded pattern on their tail, which looks much like a raccoon tail. Giant pandas have black and white fur. They have white faces with black markings around their ears and eyes. Giant pandas, which are totally white at birth, develop their black markings as they grow.

    Diet

    • The giant panda's diet consists mainly of bamboo, and giant pandas typically consume half their weight in bamboo each day. The red panda also feeds on bamboo shoots, but not nearly as many as the giant panda. Also, the red panda eats many other kinds of plants, including grasses, roots, fruits, acorns and sprouts. The red panda also feeds on insects and occasionally on small animals. Red pandas are also known to eat bird eggs. Giant pandas also may occasionally eat small rodents and birds, though this is rare.

    Reproduction

    • Red pandas are fertile for only about 24 hours in an entire year. If the female red panda mates successfully during this time, she will give birth to two red pandas. Giant pandas mate throughout spring. Giant pandas may give birth to one or two cubs, but they can care for only one. If two are born, one usually perishes. Birth weight for red pandas ranges from 5 1/4 to 7 1/2 ounces; giant pandas weigh about 5 ounces at birth.

    Endangered Species

    • The giant panda and the red panda are classified as endangered species. Red pandas have declined in population due to deforestation. They are also hunted for their fur and meat. Giant pandas are also endangered due to development and deforestation in their native habitat. Giant pandas are in greater danger of becoming extinct than red pandas. There are approximately 1,000 giant pandas and about 2,500 adult red pandas left in the wild.