red panda

noun

: a small, largely arboreal mammal (Ailurus fulgens of the family Ailuridae) that resembles the American raccoon, that is found from the Himalayas to China, and that has long rusty or chestnut fur with dark underparts, a long bushy tail with rings, and a white face and inner ears with a dark stripe from the corners of the eyes to the lower jaw

called also lesser panda

Note: The red panda feeds mostly on bamboo, roots, grass, leaves, fruit, acorns, eggs, insects, and small animals (such as birds). It was formerly considered a relative of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) but is now considered more closely related to the raccoons, skunks, and weasels.

Illustration of red panda

Examples of red panda in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Guests at the zoo may be able to see the family on an animal camera set up in front of the red panda habitat. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026

Another cub born to a red panda named Ruby died this month, the zoo said in a statement. — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 28 July 2026

The two red pandas will be the zoo’s 100th and 101st red panda births. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

The new red panda habitat will be open to the public starting on Saturday, June 13, between the historic Round Cage and Round Stand in Main Valley. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for red panda

• aranda
• miranda
• veranda
• verandah
• banda
• ganda
• vanda
• jacaranda
• memoranda
• propaganda

Kids Definition

red panda

noun

: a long-tailed mammal that is related to and resembles the raccoon, has long reddish brown fur, feeds especially on bamboo leaves, and is found from the Himalayas to China

called also lesser panda