Which animal is the only living member of the genus Ailuropoda?

The giant panda is the only living member of the genus Ailuropoda.

Its scientific name is Ailuropoda melanoleuca. The genus name reflects the animal’s cat-foot-like appearance, while the species name refers to its black-and-white coloration. Although the giant panda is a bear, its classification was debated historically because its diet and anatomy are so specialized.

Giant pandas belong to the bear family Ursidae and are more closely related to bears than to red pandas. They retain the digestive system of a carnivorous ancestor but have adapted to a diet consisting overwhelmingly of bamboo. Their enlarged wrist bone functions as a gripping structure often called a false thumb.

The species naturally inhabits mountain forests in central China. Conservation programs have helped stabilize some populations, but habitat fragmentation and its low reproductive rate remain important concerns.