Figure 3.1 - Part of the red panda's food chain
Bamboo
Bamboo has few calories and one of the fastest growing plants in the world. It grows in the wild and has a low popularity among species (due to its low-calorie property) (Pilcher, 2004).
According to UN reports, half of the world’s bamboo population (1200 species) are in danger of extinction, including the most nutritious types that serve as a main source of diet for Red Pandas (Pilcher, 2004).
The main effect of extinction on bamboo population is deforestation and clearing for agricultural purposes. According to studies from International Network for Bamboo and Rattan and the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, there are 600 endangered bamboo species with less than 20,000 square kilometres of native territory and around 250 species have less than 2000 square kilometres of habitat left. It is very difficult for a bamboo plant to re-populate the lost habitat due to its cycle of mass flowering and death. Bamboo individuals tend to flower together (every 10-100 years) before their death. If the forest is deforested before the flowering season, bamboo will not re-populate the cleared land (Pilcher, 2004).
According to UN reports, half of the world’s bamboo population (1200 species) are in danger of extinction, including the most nutritious types that serve as a main source of diet for Red Pandas (Pilcher, 2004).
- Red Panda’s main diet consists of 50% bamboo leafs, shoots, flowers and fruits (only in summer)
- The environment Red Panda habitats may include up to 40 different species of bamboo, however, the animal only selects the most nutritious types as a food source.
- In one day, the red panda can cover around 38km of bamboo habitat.
The main effect of extinction on bamboo population is deforestation and clearing for agricultural purposes. According to studies from International Network for Bamboo and Rattan and the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, there are 600 endangered bamboo species with less than 20,000 square kilometres of native territory and around 250 species have less than 2000 square kilometres of habitat left. It is very difficult for a bamboo plant to re-populate the lost habitat due to its cycle of mass flowering and death. Bamboo individuals tend to flower together (every 10-100 years) before their death. If the forest is deforested before the flowering season, bamboo will not re-populate the cleared land (Pilcher, 2004).
Predators
Since red pandas spend majority of their time on tops of tress, their chance of being killed by a predator is very low. The only threat red panda receives from the animal world is: snow leopard and yellow-throated marten (A-z animals, 2008).
Snow Leopard
Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are elusive animals, which can kill animals three times their weight. Their diet mainly consists of large mammals and on occasions of a smaller fare, such as red panda. Their powerful legs provide snow leopards with the ability to jump as far as 50 feet (15 meters). To be able to balance their bodies after such a jump, they use their long tails (National Geographic, 2012).
Snow leopards are commonly found in the rugged mountains of Central Asia mainly in China. Around 60% of all snow leopards habitat the areas of China. Despite a range of over 2 million km2, only between 4,000 and 6,500 snow leopards are found in the wild, considering them as an endangered species (Snow Leopard Trust 2010). The main cause of the low numbers of snow leopards is the habitat destruction, decline of the pray (e.g. extinction of Red Panda) and illegal hunting for trades purposes (e.g. use of mammal’s body parts for traditional Chinese medicine) (National Geographic, 2012).
Snow leopards are considered a main predator of Red Pandas. Since majority of both red panda and snow leopard populations habitat the areas of China, they interact the most. Snow leopards are considered a major threat for the adult population of red panda species.
Snow leopards are commonly found in the rugged mountains of Central Asia mainly in China. Around 60% of all snow leopards habitat the areas of China. Despite a range of over 2 million km2, only between 4,000 and 6,500 snow leopards are found in the wild, considering them as an endangered species (Snow Leopard Trust 2010). The main cause of the low numbers of snow leopards is the habitat destruction, decline of the pray (e.g. extinction of Red Panda) and illegal hunting for trades purposes (e.g. use of mammal’s body parts for traditional Chinese medicine) (National Geographic, 2012).
Snow leopards are considered a main predator of Red Pandas. Since majority of both red panda and snow leopard populations habitat the areas of China, they interact the most. Snow leopards are considered a major threat for the adult population of red panda species.
Yellow-Throated Marten
The yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) is a type of marten species that are native to the forests of south and east Asia. Their main diet consists of fruit, insects, and larger animals, such as small dear. Despite their small sizes (between 48-70cm including a tale), martens are very successful in getting their pray.
According to the IUCN studies, yellow-throated marten are considered the least endangered species due to their wide and stable distribution, bright coat colour that helps them with camouflage, strong built, and unpleasant odor that keeps predators away.
Since yellow-throated martens populate a part of China, they do intersect with red pandas, where the cubs of red panda usually become a source of nutritious meal for those relatively small animals.
According to the IUCN studies, yellow-throated marten are considered the least endangered species due to their wide and stable distribution, bright coat colour that helps them with camouflage, strong built, and unpleasant odor that keeps predators away.
Since yellow-throated martens populate a part of China, they do intersect with red pandas, where the cubs of red panda usually become a source of nutritious meal for those relatively small animals.