In the wild, births take place in the spring in a hollow tree or rock crevice. Reproduction is most successful when a single adult male and female are placed together, though they will sleep and rest apart except during the breeding season. Females apparently have only one estrus annually and are then receptive for just 18-24 hours. They may begin to build a nest of sticks and leaves several weeks before giving birth. It thus may be that there is delayed implantation in temperate zones but not in subtropical zones.
Litters contain one to four, usually two, young.
The young are removed from the parents at 6-7 months and placed in small peer groups. Both sexes attain sexual maturity at about 18 months. The lesser panda is a very popular zoo animal and is frequently involved in the animal trade.