What is the name of the red panda’s scientific genus?
Answer
Ailurus
Answer
Ailurus
The red panda’s scientific genus is Ailurus.
The red panda is the only living member of the genus Ailurus. Its scientific name is Ailurus fulgens, a name that reflects its distinctive reddish coat and shining appearance. The species lives in forested mountain regions of the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, where bamboo forms a major part of its diet.
For many years, scientists debated where red pandas belonged in the mammal family tree. They share some traits with raccoons, such as a ringed tail and flexible ankles, but genetic evidence places them in their own family, Ailuridae. Giant pandas are bears and are not close relatives simply because both animals eat bamboo.
Red pandas are excellent climbers and often rest in trees. Their bushy tails help with balance and can wrap around the body for warmth. Habitat loss, fragmentation, hunting, and accidental capture in traps have contributed to their conservation concerns across their range.
Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026