Which subfamily of bears contains the giant panda?

The giant panda belongs to the bear subfamily Ailuropodinae.

Ailuropodinae is within the family Ursidae and contains one living species, the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca. Its fossil relatives were once much more widespread, with panda-like bears recorded across parts of Europe, Asia, North America and Africa.

The giant panda’s classification was historically controversial. Scientists variously linked it to raccoons, red pandas, or a separate family, partly because of its bamboo diet and its distinctive “false thumb.” Genetic research established that it is a true bear, while the red panda belongs to its own family, Ailuridae.

Pandas remain members of Carnivora even though bamboo dominates their diet. Their digestive anatomy and metabolism retain important carnivoran features, and their modified wrist bone helps them grasp bamboo stems.