Is a red panda more closely related to raccoon or a giant panda?
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Generally, today it is believed that red pandas are linked to raccoons, while giant pandas are more closely linked to bears.
Red pandas were at first classified as relatives of raccoons in the Procyonidae family, because of physical similarities, such as the head, teeth and ringed tail, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo. Later, because of some DNA similarities, they were classified as bears in the Ursidae family.
What do red pandas have in common with giant pandas?
The giant panda is closely related to bears, especially polar bears, while red pandas are more closely related to ferrets. But both species share a common trait—they eat only bamboo (despite being classified as carnivores) and both have developed a false thumb to help them do so.
What are raccoons most closely related to?
Genetic studies have shown that the closest relatives of raccoons are the ring-tailed cats and cacomistles of genus Bassariscus, from which they diverged about 10 million years ago.
What is the difference between red pandas and giant pandas?
Red panda has roundish head, elongated, raccoon-like body and long, bushy tail. Giant panda has globe-shaped head, barrel-shaped (bear-like) body and short, stubby tail. Red panda has red, soft fur. Its legs are dark, nearly black-colored, while cheeks, ears, nose and areas above eyes are white.
Recent DNA analysis indicates that giant pandas are more closely related to bears and red pandas are more closely related to raccoons. Accordingly, giant pandas are categorized in the bear family while red pandas are the only members of their family, Ailuridae.
How are red pandas and pandas alike?
Both the giant and red panda share similar habitat, that being high bamboo forests. Giant pandas only live in the mountains of central China at altitudes of 8,850 to 12,800 feet, while red pandas live not only in central China, but also in the Himalayas and the mountains of northern Myanmar.
Are pandas and red pandas related?
The name panda is believed to come from the Nepali word “ponya,” meaning “bamboo eater” or “bamboo footed.” Despite sharing a common name, giant pandas and red pandas are not closely related. Red pandas are the only living members of their taxonomic family, Ailuridae, while giant pandas are in the bear family, Ursidae.
What is a panda’s closest relative?
lesser panda
The usual possibilities considered are: (1) The giant panda’s closest relative is the lesser panda (Ailurus fulgens); as this is usually classified among the procyonids, the giant panda should be also.
Molecular phylogenetic studies show that red pandas are an ancient species in the order Carnivora (superfamily Musteloidea) and are probably most closely related to the group that includes skunks, raccoons and weasels.