The red panda inhabits the rhododendron groves and coniferous forests on the lower slopes of the Himalayan range. Mainly active at dusk and at night, it rests by day curled in the fork of a branch. Though it is an agile tree-climber, with hairs on its soles that improves its grip, the red panda frequently comes to the forest floor to feed. It eats a variety of food including bamboo leaves and shoots, fruit, insects, eggs and young birds.