Smithsonian National Zoological Park l Friends of the National Zoo



red panda
Ann Batdorf, NZP photographer


Red pandas were the first animals to be called "panda." Red and giant pandas do have a few things in common. Their main food is bamboo, and they have a thumb-like projection on their wrists that helps them grip bamboo stalks. Also, red pandas share part of their range with giant pandas.

Red Panda Facts

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