Species Interactions
Symbiosis is an ecological relationship between two species living in direct contact (McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2011). There are three types of symbiotic relationships:parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism. There are also interspecific interactions such as competitive and predator-prey. Red pandas participate in many interactions wih other organisms. The red pandas have various interactions with themselves. In general, they usually keep their distance from each other but may ocasionally come in contact with each other and communicate with each other using certain calls. They are predators to small birds, insects and grubs. Due to the fact that red pandas spend most of their time in evergreen trees and are out of their predators reach, they do not have many predators. Their two main predators are the snow leopards, and martens.
Symbiosis is an ecological relationship between two species living in direct contact (McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2011). There are three types of symbiotic relationships:parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism. There are also interspecific interactions such as competitive and predator-prey. Red pandas participate in many interactions wih other organisms. The red pandas have various interactions with themselves. In general, they usually keep their distance from each other but may ocasionally come in contact with each other and communicate with each other using certain calls. They are predators to small birds, insects and grubs. Due to the fact that red pandas spend most of their time in evergreen trees and are out of their predators reach, they do not have many predators. Their two main predators are the snow leopards, and martens.
Snow Leopard
The predator-prey relationship is shown in the relationship between the red panda and snow leopard.The snow leopard is one the red pandas primary predator. They share the same land as the red panda in China, Bhutan, Nepal, and India (WWF). According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), similar to red pandas, the snow leopards are also endangered due to habitat and poaching. The snow leopard contributes to the red panda decreasing populations because they are prey to them. Having both of these species endangered will affect the food chain. Since the red pandas are endangered and they are a food source to the snow leopard, this could mean that the snow leopard may be at risk for limited food supply. Therefore, the snow leopard population would also decline affecting the food chain even more.
The predator-prey relationship is shown in the relationship between the red panda and snow leopard.The snow leopard is one the red pandas primary predator. They share the same land as the red panda in China, Bhutan, Nepal, and India (WWF). According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), similar to red pandas, the snow leopards are also endangered due to habitat and poaching. The snow leopard contributes to the red panda decreasing populations because they are prey to them. Having both of these species endangered will affect the food chain. Since the red pandas are endangered and they are a food source to the snow leopard, this could mean that the snow leopard may be at risk for limited food supply. Therefore, the snow leopard population would also decline affecting the food chain even more.
Martens
Another predator-prey relationship the red panda has is with martens. Martens live in the forested areas of south and east Asia crossing paths with the red panda. Martens are not considered endangered because of their wide and stable distribution throughout Asia. They prey on newborn red panda cubs that are unable to leave their nests along with other organisms. This, therefore, has a negative impact on the red panda population causing the population to decline. Since the martens prey on the cubs, only a few red pandas would survive to mature and reproduce. Red pandas must be able to reproduce in order to not become extinct because approximately 10,000 red pandas die per year. 7,000 out of the 10,000 red pandas die due to deforestation (Amimal Info &Endangered Animals, 2006).
Another predator-prey relationship the red panda has is with martens. Martens live in the forested areas of south and east Asia crossing paths with the red panda. Martens are not considered endangered because of their wide and stable distribution throughout Asia. They prey on newborn red panda cubs that are unable to leave their nests along with other organisms. This, therefore, has a negative impact on the red panda population causing the population to decline. Since the martens prey on the cubs, only a few red pandas would survive to mature and reproduce. Red pandas must be able to reproduce in order to not become extinct because approximately 10,000 red pandas die per year. 7,000 out of the 10,000 red pandas die due to deforestation (Amimal Info &Endangered Animals, 2006).
Evergreen Tree
The red panda and the evergreen tree exhibit a commensalism symbiotic relationship.This means that one partner benefits and the other partner neither benefits or is harmed. The Red Panda hides from predators in the evergreen tree. The evergreen tree also acts as a shield to them during harsh winters where they are protected from winds and snow. The evergreen is not helped or harmed while the Red Panda is hiding in it. However due to human activity, the red panda's habitat is slowly vanishing due to deforestation. If the evergreen trees are gone then it will be harder for the red panda to hide from its predators and to be protected from harsh winters. The relationship between the evergreen tree and the red panda is important because the evergreen trees helps and increases the rate of survival for the red panda.
The red panda and the evergreen tree exhibit a commensalism symbiotic relationship.This means that one partner benefits and the other partner neither benefits or is harmed. The Red Panda hides from predators in the evergreen tree. The evergreen tree also acts as a shield to them during harsh winters where they are protected from winds and snow. The evergreen is not helped or harmed while the Red Panda is hiding in it. However due to human activity, the red panda's habitat is slowly vanishing due to deforestation. If the evergreen trees are gone then it will be harder for the red panda to hide from its predators and to be protected from harsh winters. The relationship between the evergreen tree and the red panda is important because the evergreen trees helps and increases the rate of survival for the red panda.
Fact: The red panda communicates using the body language and different type of sounds. Specific whistle is used to alert others about the upcoming danger.