Draft:Rcosham/Panda
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Panda is a general term that refers to two species: giant pandas (Ursidae) and red pandas (Ailuridae). Despite sharing the name panda, both species are not closely related. The red panda is also referred to as the lesser panda, and the use of the term "panda" generally refers to the giant panda[1].
Rcosham/Panda | |
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Giant panda (above)
Red panda (below) | |
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Family: | Panda family (discontinued) Previously Ailuridae |
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Although giant pandas and red pandas belong to the order Carnivora, both species have adapted to be herbivorous, although it has been concluded through molecular phylogenic analysis by Ledje and Arnason (1996a, b) that both species are not closely related[2]. While the giant panda is a representative animal of China, its natural habitat is limited to parts of the Sichuan province. The red panda has a larger natural habitat, being native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China.