The Sleeping World: Nestling in a Tree Hollow with a Red Panda

Wind down by escaping into nature. Part soundscape and part bedtime story, The Sleeping World is an intimate journey through ecologies around the world. Red pandas have thick bushy ringed tails like raccoons, but they aren’t related to panda bears or raccoons—in fact, they have no close relatives anywhere on Earth. In this episode, we wander the Himalayas with a red panda and her cubs as they munch on bamboo, practice walking in the treetops, and settle in to nap together as the first snowfall of the year covers their forest home. This is the world in its natural state, defined by seasons, routines, and cycles. By the time this red panda is ready to curl up with her tail wrapped around her like a blanket, you’ll be ready to curl up too.

Produced by Audible and Mumble Media Written by Sarah Craig Narrated by Cynthia Kimola Executive Producers for Mumble Media: Cara Ehlenfeldt and Jake Young Executive Producer for Audible: Anna Stitt Sound Design and Mix: Mumble Media Additional Recordings: Dr. Axel Gebauer The Mumble Media team is Jaymeson Catsouphes, Cara Ehlenfeldt, Liz Mak, Lee Mengistu, David Tatasciore, Renée Vargas, Jake Young, and Sharif Youssef Fact-Checker: Andrea López-Cruzado Head of Creative Development: Kate Navin Head of Audible Originals, North America: Marshall Lewy Chief Content Officer: Rachel Ghiazza