Red Panda Research Paper

The red panda is a scientific phenomenon, generally scientists are able to trace a direct linage to a specific species relatively easy, but for this creature that is not the case. A red panda can be compared in size to a large house cat, they range between 20 to 26 inches from head to body with a tail extending an additional 12 to 20 inches, and weigh around 12 to 20 pounds. They have similar physical characteristics to that of the giant panda and a raccoon, the face of a red panda typically has white markings on its snout, around its eyes, down its face and in its ears. The body of a red panda is covered in a soft brownish-red fur color on the top and a thicker more dense dark brown on the bottom which is used to camouflage and blend into its surroundings. Additionally, the tail of a red panda is similar to that of a raccoon with the ringed strips just in a brownish-red color like that of its body. Like the giant panda, a red panda has an extra “thumb” which is typically used to hold things, they also have whiskers that are long in length and are used as a navigation tool, as …show more content…
Scientists have tried to tie the red panda’s ancestry to that of the early bear family (Ursidae), the raccoon family (Procyonidae), or a separate family that is a combination of both (1995). Genetic markers of the red panda were compared against four different carnivore species including the dog (Canidae: Canis famillaris), cat (Felidae: Fells catus), fanaloka (Viverridae: Fossa fossa), and mongoose (Herpestidae: Galidia elegans) in the hunt for red panda family. The result of these studies have left scientists with the conclusion that the red panda can be traced to both the linage of the Procyonidae family as well as the Ursidae family. According to National Geographic, the red pandas have been placed in a unique family of their own—the