Red pandas live primarily in the mountainous forests of the Eastern Himalayas, including countries such as China, Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Myanmar. They inhabit high-altitude temperate forests and coniferous forests with dense bamboo understories, typically at elevations ranging from about 1,500 to 4,300 meters (approximately 5,000 to 14,000 feet) above sea level
. Their habitat includes steep slopes with dense bamboo cover close to water sources, often in forest types dominated by Himalayan oaks, birch, fir, maple, rhododendron, and bamboo species
. Red pandas are arboreal and spend much of their time in trees, relying on their semi-retractable claws and long bushy tails for balance and movement among branches
. In summary, red pandas live in:
- Eastern Himalayas region: China (provinces like Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet), Nepal, Bhutan, India (Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh), and Myanmar
- High-altitude temperate and coniferous forests with dense bamboo understory
- Elevations roughly between 1,500 and 4,300 meters
- Forests with proximity to water sources and steep slopes
This habitat is crucial for their diet and shelter but is increasingly threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
