Red pandas are seriously cute animals, but there’s more to these fluffy friends than their adorable looks. Like many of the world’s animal species, the red panda gets more fascinating the deeper you look into their lives and behavior. Today, let’s dive into the world of red pandas and see what we can discover!
First things first, how are red pandas related to the black and white pandas we know and love? And are these cute critters raccoons or bears? Well, as the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute explains, “Despite sharing a common name, giant pandas and red pandas are not closely related.” The red panda also isn’t a bear or a raccoon. In fact, they’re “most closely related to skunks, raccoons and weasels.”
Learn even more about these unique creatures in the list of red panda facts below! Plus, read about a 2013 red panda zoo escape here.