Written by This marks the end of our Uncommon Creatures adventure this month. To say goodbye, we have this little red panda, which is better known, but becoming increasingly more uncommon. Just last year, these poor little creatures moved to “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. This cute critter is also referred to as a lesser panda, red bear-cat, and red cat-bear. Those latter terms, I guess, are similar to the Crayola® conundrum as kids when trying to decipher whether to use orange-red vs. red-orange. And after all that naming fuss, it’s not a cat or a bear at all. Though it has been classified as a relative of the panda and raccoon, its currently considered part of its own unique family: the Ailuridae.
Though classified as a carnivore, they don’t really eat meat, preferring to snack on bamboo and the occasional insect. In an odd 2009 study in The Journal of Heredity, it was discovered red pandas also like fake sugar like Nutrasweet and Equal. This is apparently significant in that it makes the red panda the only non-primate species who can taste aspartame. It was previously thought the only animals who could taste this questionable artificial sweetener were Old World monkeys, apes, and well, of course, humans.
Red pandas are about the same size as a domestic cat, but their long raccon-like tails can add as much as 18 inches (45.7cm) to their length. They also like to escape zoos and have escaped from many, including a zoo in Rotterdam in 1978. Even though the poor creature was found dead shortly after the escape, locals continue to report sightings of the critter. It was believed by researchers that people expected to see a red panda, so they saw one, leading them to name the phenomenon the Red Panda Effect. And so concludes our doodlewash adventure of Uncommon Creatures this month. Stay tuned tomorrow for a brand new adventure as we go on another journey together in April!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Quinacridone Gold, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Teal, Neutral Tint and Titanium White Gouache. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink and second pen with black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
It looks like he is waving Bye Bye to this month and all the Uncommon Creatures. Thank you Charlie for this months adventures. 🙂
Yep…another month gone! This one seemed to go fast even with 31 days! Glad you enjoyed it Susan!! 😃💕 Going to be inviting people to play with me this month! Stay tuned!! 😉
Tuning in…… 🙂
hehe… thanks!
Oh he’s so adorable – you’ve made me go on another Google image spree – and looks rather sombre in the eyes; fitting on a couple of counts. Love those pads on his little waving paw! And I’ve learnt that these aren’t quite the size I thought they were. It’s been a weird but wonderful journey, Charles. I’m intrigued to see what’s coming next!
Haha, the Crayola conundrum. Too true.
Thanks Jacob!! I think this guys are super cute! Hehe…thought I’d end on cute versus weird and shocking. Out like a lamb and all. Still putting the finishing thoughts on April, but I will be inviting folks to play along! Stay tuned! 😉
Ooh, this sounds entertaining! Colour me even more intrigued (I’m sure there’s a Crayola for that!)
Oh… I’m sure there is! LOL Okay… just posted it!
Thanks for the laugh today, Charlie! 😜 The Red Panda effect – go figure! Haha! Cute little guy and it looks like he is waving goodbye! 🙋 Look forward to what magic you have on your paintbrush for April! 🎨❤️🌟💕
Thanks so much Jill!! 😃💕hehe…that’s such a funny term and now I plan to use it at some point. Glad you enjoyed the series! I’ll be inviting people to play along this month so hope you’ll join me!! 😉💕💕😃❤️
Cat-bear-raccoon is just about right as a description. What a face! (again). Looking forward to your next adventure. (K)
Yeah…it’s totally like another mix of all different creatures. I like that in an animal! Hehe Thanks for joining me on this month’s adventure, Kerfe! Hope you’ll join me for this month’s adventure!! 😃💕
Absolutely!
darling! Another Outstanding Illustration Charlie!
so cuddly and adorable, I love him 🙂 we see them in the zoo here and they are kind of cute
Awww thanks so much Debi!! 😃💕Glad you liked this one. They’re pretty much black in the front so I wasn’t sure what to do with that bit! 😊hehe
I’m sad that this is the end of the uncommon creatures month and that this is also on the threatened species list. :-/ But thank you for taking us on this magical doodlewash journey! ❤️
Thanks for joining me Teresa!! 😃❤️Glad you liked this one!! Stick around! April starts today and hoping people will play with me! 😉
Owwa he’s saying goodbye! Loved this one too👍🏼
Thanks so much Snehal!! 😃💕Glad you liked this adventure!! Mixing it up a bit in April and will be inviting folks to play along. Hope your join me!! 😉
Great 👍🏼Sure i’ll be joining in 🙂
Yay! I hope so! I just posted the details! 😃
I think I saw a Red Panda waving good bye to me. He was so cute, I hope he returns.
Thanks, Charlie, for a lot of fun seeing the endangered animal world through your lovely artwork.
Thanks so much Sharon!! 😃💕Glad you liked this and hope you’ll join me for April’s adventure!! 😉
It’s been a great month for your art and our education. Thank you.
Thanks so much Teri!! 😃💕 Hope you’ll be around for April and will join me! I’ll be asking folks to play along! Stay tuned! 😉
I’ll be waiting, I know it will be interesting and fun!
hehe… hope so! Just posted it! 😊
What a cutie! It looks very much like a raccoon! What a great month! I learned so much. Can’t wait for tomorrow! 😘
Thanks Kari!! 😃💕 Glad you liked this one! New adventure starts today and I’ll be inviting people to play along on this one!! Stay tuned!! 😉
Aw, it’s waving goodbye! Great paintings this month,Charlie. I really loved this series.
Awww thanks Michael!! 😃I’m so happy you liked it! This month I’m hoping people play with me so stay tuned for the next post!! 😉
Awww, I’m waving goodbye to this months amazing doodlewash too, but I don’t think I look as cute as this gorgeous panda….on the up, it’s the first of a new month, no pressure, your Irish luck will always make it good, can’t wait to see what it will be 😀
I’m sure you’re every bit as cute as this red panda!! Hehe…waving back at ya! Thanks Rebecca!! 😃💕So thrilled you came along on this adventure and hope you’ll play with me this month. I’m inviting folks to join me!! Stay tuned!! 😉
Ohhh sounds interesting, can’t wait to hear more 😀
Just posted it! Check it out! 😉
Cute how he is waving at us. But who knows, red-panda-effect might work now around your followers. Actually, I saw some reddish cat-sized animal turning around the corner….
Hehe…thanks Kathrin!! 😃💕Yeah, who knows…I may have just started my own Red Panda Effect! Lol
Another wonderful painting, love the soulful if not sorrowful eyes…and the uplifted paw has me all choked up at the moment. Love the painting, love the subject, just want to build a haven for red pandas in my parlor. Thank you for a fantastic journey Charlie…now I must find my box of tissues to dab my eyes. Looking forward to your next adventure.
Hehe! No tears! A new adventure awaits! Thanks so much Haunani!! Asking people to play with me in April, so stayed tuned for what’s next!! 😃💕
The Red Panda is a great way to end the month. I like how he is waving goodbye. Looking forward to today’s surprise.
Thanks so much Sharon!! 😃💕Glad you liked this adventure! This month I’m hoping to get some people to play along with me so stayed tuned for my post later! 😉
Sweet red panda! I’m a little sad to end this journey, it’s been an excellent month with you Charlie! Lots of beautiful Doodlewashes! Thank you for your dedication!
Thanks so much Cathe!! 😃💕I really enjoyed this month and I’m glad you did too! For April I’m hoping to get people to play along with me, so stay tuned for what’s up next! 😉
Such a cutie to end this fun journey. Looking forward to what is ahead. 😝
Thanks so much, Jodi!! 😃💕Glad you enjoyed this one, and hope you’ll join me for the next! No really… inviting people to join me this time! hehe… just posted it! 😉
can’t wait to go look! 🙂
Journey’s End
Goodby, it’s time to fly
say the critters of the sky
Adios, ,yassou and so long
say the creatures of the land
let us thrive where we belong
Adieu, ciao, let us be
say the denizens of the sea
All God’s creations enthrall
those both great and small
blessings from above
Must be treated with love.
Thank you Charlie ‘O
for giving the endangered a voice
in your beautiful watercolor show!
And this, my dear Judy is perhaps my favorite pome of all!!! Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure!! LOVE THIS! 💕😃
I am catching up today. I love him – waving back from London.
JP
Awww… waving to you in London! Thanks so much friend! 😃