Red pandas have semi-retractile claws used effectively in climbing.
The five digits on each foot of the red panda are in a strongly curved line and and terminate with curved semi-retractile claws, used effectively in climbing.
The radial sesamoid bone of the wrist articulates primarily with the radial carpal bone and is greatly enlarged but relatively less so than the sesamoid bone of the giant panda, Ailuropoda. The postscapular fossa is moderately large and may be indicative of its arboreality where the forelimbs are more supportive while climbing than the hindlimbs.
Forepaws are frequently used to pick, manipulate, and pull apart food, particularly bamboo leaves and stalks.
• Image | © Mathias Appel, Public Domain, (CC0 1.0)
• Sources | (Davis, 1949, 1964; Roberts, 1981; Roberts & Gittleman, 1984)
