Ask A Scientist Zoology Archive

name        Superkid
status       student
age        

Question -   I read a book about pandas and I had a question.
What are pandas related to other than raccoons? In other words, what
animals are in its family (species)?
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Pandas and raccoons are not really very closely related. They are both in the very large order 
Carnivora, (even though pandas are plant eaters they are classified by other structures that 
show common ancestors, and so are in the carnivore order). Pandas are in the family Ursidae, 
with bears, while raccoons are in the family Procyonidae, with ring-tails and coatis. The 
giant panda is in a genus by itself, its closest relative is the red panda. See this excellent, 
detailed web site for more:

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Carnivora.html

J. Elliott
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