When most people think of pandas, they picture the iconic black and white giant panda munching on bamboo. But did you know there are actually different types of pandas roaming our planet?
The world of panda species is more diverse and fascinating than many realize. From the well-known giant panda to the adorable red panda and the incredibly rare Qinling panda, each type brings its own unique characteristics and conservation story.
Join us as we explore these remarkable types of pandas. We’ll discuss and discover what makes each species truly special.
How Many Species of Pandas Are There?
While there are technically only two true panda species, scientists recognize three different types of pandas that capture our hearts and scientific curiosity.
The giant panda and red panda represent the two official species. The third type, the Qinling panda, is actually a rare subspecies of the giant panda that was officially recognized in 2005.
This classification of different types of pandas has evolved over time as genetic research has provided clearer insights into their relationships. In fact, modern DNA analysis has revealed fascinating details about how these panda species developed separately.
The Giant Panda
The giant panda stands as perhaps the most recognizable of all panda species. These magnificent bears can weigh up to 300 pounds (136 kilograms) and measure 5–6 feet (152–183 centimeters) in length.
What makes giant pandas truly remarkable is their almost exclusively bamboo diet. They spend up to 16 hours daily consuming 26–84 pounds (12–38 kilograms) of bamboo to meet their nutritional needs.
Giant pandas are essentially lazy animals by necessity. This behavioral adaptation has made them excellent climbers despite their bulk, as they navigate the temperate forests of southwest China with surprising agility.
One of the most interesting details about these pandas is their unique "pseudo-thumb." It’s an enlarged wrist bone that allows them to grip bamboo stalks with precision.
Only about 1,864 wild giant pandas remain in China's mountain forests according to recent surveys. The giant panda species faces ongoing challenges from habitat fragmentation, though conservation efforts have shown promising results.
When comparing characteristics between the red panda vs giant panda, the size difference becomes immediately apparent. Giant pandas are substantially larger and more robust than their distant relatives.
The Red Panda
Often called the "original panda," red pandas actually received their name decades before giant pandas became known to science. These cute shy animals are roughly the size of domestic cats and weigh only 3–6 kilograms while measuring about 24 inches (61 cm) in height.
Red pandas belong to their own unique family, Ailuridae. This fun fact makes them completely unrelated to giant pandas despite sharing similar bamboo-based diets and geographic regions.
They inhabit the dense, moist temperate forests of the eastern Himalayas, including parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar. This panda species is also primarily arboreal.
Recent genetic studies have revealed that there are actually two distinct subspecies of red pandas:
- The Himalayan red panda AKA Ailurus fulgens fulgens
- The Chinese red panda AKA Ailurus fulgens styani
The Chinese variety typically displays a redder face and more prominent tail rings. Meanwhile, the Himalayan subspecies shows a whiter facial pattern.
The Qinling Panda
What is the rarest type of panda? The answer is the Qinling panda, which has only 200–300 individuals that are believed to exist in the wild.
This distinction makes them incredibly precious and among the rarest animals in the world. What sets these pandas apart is their striking brown and light brown fur pattern, a dramatic departure from the classic black and white coloration of typical giant pandas.
Discovered in the Qinling Mountains of China, these unique pandas live exclusively at elevations between 4,000–10,000 feet (1,219–3048 meters). They're slightly smaller than regular giant pandas, measuring 4–6 feet (122–183 centimeters) in length and weighing 150–250 pounds (68–113 kilograms).
The rarity of this panda subspecies makes every sighting extraordinary. Their brown coloration is caused by a genetic variation that affects melanin production and creates their distinctive appearance.
Comparing the Key Differences of Panda Species
Understanding the distinctions between these panda species reveals fascinating evolutionary adaptations.
Size differences are the most obvious distinguishing factor. Giant pandas can weigh up to 136 kilograms, while red pandas typically weigh just 3–6 kilograms (6.6–13.2 pounds). The red panda vs panda size comparison highlights just how different these species truly are.
Habitat preferences also vary significantly among these different types of pandas. Giant pandas prefer lower elevation bamboo forests, while red pandas thrive in higher altitude temperate forests with dense rhododendron undergrowth. Red pandas are much more widespread geographically, inhabiting multiple countries, whereas giant pandas are found exclusively in China.
An herbivorous diet unites these different types of pandas, as bamboo forms the primary food source for all species. However, red pandas supplement their diet more frequently with fruits, insects, and small animals, while giant pandas remain almost exclusively bamboo specialists. Animals like red pandas and their giant cousins have developed similar feeding adaptations despite their separate evolutionary paths.
Saving the Different Types of Pandas on our Planet
The future of all panda species depends on our collective conservation efforts and the educational connections we build with these remarkable animals. Understanding and appreciating the diversity among different types of pandas helps us recognize why protecting each species and subspecies matters for global biodiversity.
At Fahlo, we've been passionate about wildlife conservation since 2018, and pandas hold a special place in our mission. We partner with non-profit organizations to create bracelets and plushes that come with real animals to track, allowing people to connect personally with wildlife conservation.
Our interactive tracking experiences help customers follow real animals in the wild and support their protection. Through this combination of tangible products and educational technology, our mission focuses on exciting people about conservation while supporting the organizations working tirelessly to protect these different types of pandas.
Since our founding, we've been fortunate to donate millions of dollars to wildlife conservation efforts. Join us today in ensuring that future generations will continue to marvel at the diversity of panda species our planet supports.