The crepuscular mammal with a red coat and striped tail native to the Himalayas is the red panda.
The red panda, Ailurus fulgens, is a small tree-dwelling mammal of the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. Its reddish-brown coat, white facial markings, dark legs, and long ringed tail help it blend into mossy, lichen-covered mountain forests. The tail also provides balance while climbing and extra warmth in cold weather.
Red pandas are generally solitary and are most active around dawn, dusk, and at night. They spend much of their time in trees, using curved claws and flexible ankles to climb and descend trunks head-first. Bamboo makes up much of their diet, but they also eat fruit, acorns, insects, eggs, and small animals.
Despite the name, a red panda is not a smaller version of the giant panda and is not closely related to raccoons. It is the only living member of its genus, Ailurus. Genetic research has also found deep differences between Himalayan and Chinese populations, leading some scientists to argue that they should eventually be treated as separate species.