panda Two mainly nocturnal mammals of the family Ailuropodidae, related to raccoons and bears. The lesser or red panda (Ailurus fulgens) ranges from the Himalayas to w China. It has soft, thick, reddish brown fur, a white face and a bushy tail. It feeds mainly on fruit and leaves, but is also a carnivore. Length: 115cm (46in) overall. The rare giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) inhabits bamboo forests in China (mainly Tibet). It has a short tail and a dense white coat with characteristic black fur on shoulders, limbs, ears and around the eyes. It eats mainly plant material, particularly bamboo shoots. Length: 1.5m (5ft); weight: 160kg (350lb).

pan·da / ˈpandə/ (also giant panda) • n. a large bearlike mammal (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) with characteristic black and white markings, native to certain mountain forests in China. It feeds almost entirely on bamboo and has become increasingly rare. Usually placed with the bears (family Ursidae), it was formerly thought to belong with the raccoons (family Procyonidae). See also red panda.

panda
1. (giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca) See AILUROPODA; URSIDAE

2. (red panda, Ailurus fulgens) See AILURIDAE; PROCYONIDAE.

panda XIX. — Nepali name.