In the 2008 film Kung Fu Panda, what type of animal is Po?

In the 2008 film Kung Fu Panda, Po is a giant panda.

Po is the central character of the film and works in his adoptive father Mr. Ping’s noodle shop before unexpectedly becoming the Dragon Warrior. His species is an important part of the story because the film contrasts his large, unconventional body with the speed and discipline associated with traditional kung fu heroes.

Po’s design uses the familiar black-and-white coloring of the giant panda, including dark eye patches, rounded ears, and a broad body. The character is fictional, but giant pandas are real bears native to China and are closely associated with the country’s cultural identity.

A common mix-up is confusing giant pandas with red pandas. Red pandas are much smaller and belong to a different animal family. Po is specifically a giant panda, as are several other panda characters in the franchise.