The red panda is considered one of the most endangered animals in the world. They live in the bamboo forests of southern Asia. Red pandas are named for their rich colored fur and facial markings. They have bushy tails that are marked with dark brown rings. Their legs and underbelly are almost black. These colors together camouflage pandas in their natural habitat. Red moss and white lichen covers the trees where red pandas spend most of their time. When the climate grows colder, the moss and lichen flourish, helping them hide safely from predators such as the snow leopard.

    Both the giant panda and the red pandas are classified in the order carnivore based on their tooth structure, though they usually only eat plants. Sometimes the red pandas are even called "fire cats," for their bright colors. Studies have shown red pandas are more closely related to bears. 

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