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Enjoy this curated selection of theme-related dances for celebrations and holidays, or find a dance associated with a special calendar day, or EVEN your own birthday!
Oct 4
World Animal Day
Les Pandas Roux
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
“The red panda is like a real-life teddy bear—charming and gentle, yet a capable and resourceful survivor in its mountain forest home.”
~ George B. Schaller
And perhaps charming and gentlemanly enough for a tribute dance!
Happy World Animal Day! The astonishing diversity of animals celebrated today seems to be matched only by the extraordinary number of Scottish country dances that have been devised in their honor—from familiar farmyard creatures to birds, butterflies, wild beasts and, in this case, a particularly charming little animal from the temperate forests of the Himalayas and southwestern China: the red panda!
This lively 40-bar jig for four couples, devised by Emmy Wilkinson, brings the red pandas together with their French-Scottish Auld Alliance brethren and includes a half “Celtic Reel,” in which the outer and inner couples reel—or circumnavigate—to the end of the reel. All that scampering, weaving and changing of places seems particularly well suited to these remarkably nimble tree-dwellers.
Red pandas really are accomplished climbers. They spend much of their time in trees, balancing with their long, bushy tails and sometimes wrapping those tails around themselves for warmth. Despite the name, the red panda is not closely related to the giant panda at all, but belongs to its own distinctive family, Ailuridae.
The two pandas do share one curious adaptation: an enlarged wrist bone that acts rather like a “false thumb,” helping them grasp bamboo. Red pandas are generally crepuscular, becoming particularly active around dawn and dusk, and when threatened they may stand upright on their hind legs to make themselves appear larger and considerably more formidable than their fluffy appearance might suggest!
Bamboo snacks for all! 🕺 💃 ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 🐼 🐼 🐼
Les Pandas Roux
The red panda is an enigmatic creature of the Eastern Himalayas, often overshadowed by its namesake, the giant panda. With its striking reddish-brown fur, white facial markings, and bushy ringed tail, it bears more resemblance to a fox than a panda. These unique animals have adapted well to their chilly, mountainous habitat, developing thick fur on their bodies and even on the soles of their feet, which helps them stay warm and navigate the slippery terrain of the forest canopy.
Unlike many other forest animals, red pandas are solitary and elusive, spending their lives high in the trees. Their diet, though centered on bamboo, is supplemented by fruits, acorns, and even small mammals, showcasing their adaptability. They have an impressive ability to climb down trees headfirst, a skill achieved by rotating their ankles—a rare trait among climbing mammals. Despite their peaceful demeanor, red pandas possess a quiet strength, using their sharp claws and teeth when necessary to defend themselves. Though often shy, they are known for their curious and playful nature, adding to the allure of this little-known forest dweller.
For more about red pandas, click the baby red panda!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
