Behavior

Red pandas are generally solitary, but there are a couple of exceptions to the rule.  First, young red pandas grow relatively slowly, so they develop extended associations with their mothers that last for over a year.  Second, red pandas have short relationships during the annual breeding season.

In terms of their ranging patterns, red pandas behave much like larger carnivores. They tend to have overlapping home ranges in which the individuals rarely interact with each other.  This may seem odd, since red pandas mostly eat bamboo.  However, red pandas search for the most tender bamboo shoots and leaves, and these prime specimens may be patchily distributed -- not unlike the prey of larger animals such as jungle cats.  In effect, the red panda's habits reduce overcrowding and overuse of shared resources.

The home ranges of female red pandas often measure about one square mile, while males can live in areas twice that size.  Male home ranges frequently overlap with at least one female home range and sometimes expand during the breeding season.  Because red pandas constantly need to conserve energy, they only cover 650 to 1,000 feet of their home ranges per day and about 25% of their home ranges per month.

Red pandas have several ways of marking their territories and home ranges.  These include urine, secretions from anal glands, and scents from glands on the pads of their feet.  They have also been known to use communal latrine sites to stake out territory and share information with others.  In addition, red pandas often communicate using body language (such as head bobbing and tail arching) and a variety of noises (such as a threatening "huff-quack" and a warning whistle).

Source: Red Panda: The Fire Cat by Miles Roberts (ZooGoer 21(2), 1992).