Red pandas and giant pandas share a modified wrist bone that acts like a thumb to help them grasp bamboo when feeding. Chinese red pandas typically have a redder face and more distinguished tail rings, and Himalayan red pandas tend to be smaller and have lighter-colored fur. Recent genetic studies suggest two distinct species of red panda: the Chinese red panda ( Ailurus styani) and the Himalayan red panda ( Ailurus fulgens). The term "panda" is believed to be derived from the Nepalese words "nigalya ponya" which translates to "bamboo eater." That makes red pandas the only “true” panda. But the latest research has placed red pandas in their own taxonomic family, Ailuridae, while giant pandas belongs to the Ursidae, or bear family. Western scientists described red pandas 50 years before giant pandas, and named the black-and-white bear after the smaller red panda because of their shared characteristics, like a taste for bamboo and a bonus digit called a pseudothumb. While the two animals share a name and favorite food, they’re not closely related. Like giant pandas, red pandas are a bamboo-munching species native to high forests of Asia. Red pandas are the only living member of the family Ailuridae. On the occasion of the film's debut, here are eight fascinating details about these elusive animals: They Are the Only “True” Panda The movie, in truth a metaphor for adolescent pubescence and angst, comes out today on Disney+. Now, Disney’s recent release of the movie Turning Red, which tells the story of a Meilin "Mei" Lee, a 13-year-old girl who transforms into a big red panda when she feels big emotions, is likely to also spark a new wave of interest in the endangered animal. Red pandas' adorable fluffy faces and hilarious hijinks make them fodder for all sorts of viral internet cuteness.
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