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

Utah's Hogle Zoo wants to you to meet its newest resident — a 7-year-old Chinese red panda who sneaks biscuits. —Kim Bojórquez, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025

Make a $10 donation to the Memphis Zoo Dating or Dumping campaign and choose to receive a digital thank-you card and a video of a red panda munching on a grape or a digital thank-you card and a video of a resident elephant taking a poo. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025

Environmentalists say the dam and its reservoir will destroy habitat for rare species, including the white-cheeked macaque and the red panda. —Byscience News Staff, science.org, 9 Jan. 2025

The wildlife park is considering future steps for the red panda exhibit. —Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2025

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