red panda

noun

: a small, largely arboreal mammal (Ailurus fulgens of the family Ailuridae) that resembles the American raccoon, that is found from the Himalayas to China, and that has long rusty or chestnut fur with dark underparts, a long bushy tail with rings, and a white face and inner ears with a dark stripe from the corners of the eyes to the lower jaw

called also lesser panda

Note: The red panda feeds mostly on bamboo, roots, grass, leaves, fruit, acorns, eggs, insects, and small animals (such as birds). It was formerly considered a relative of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) but is now considered more closely related to the raccoons, skunks, and weasels.

Illustration of red panda

Examples of red panda in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After playing her role as a mother to help her declining species, a nearly 11-year-old red panda was ready for the next stage of life. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 17 June 2024

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature says the red panda faces a very high risk of extinction due to habitat loss. —Reuters, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2024

Lin, a beloved red panda who lived at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, died last week due to health issues, according to a news release. —The Enquirer, 24 Feb. 2024

Use the classic bricks to build a tiger, red panda, and koi fish — so there’s always something new to discover. —Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 13 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

red panda

noun

: a long-tailed mammal that is related to and resembles the raccoon, has long reddish brown fur, feeds especially on bamboo leaves, and is found from the Himalayas to China

called also lesser panda