The
name "panda" comes from the Nepalese word
meaning "bamboo eater." In the wild, red pandas
and giant pandas eat mostly bamboo. However, this is
about the only similarity between these animals.
Both
pandas are classified in the order "carnivora"
based on their tooth structure, though they usually
eat only plants. Though both live in the bamboo forests
of southern Asia, red pandas live in higher and colder
elevations than their much larger cousin.
Red
Pandas look similar to raccoons, but recent genetic
studies have shown red pandas are more closely related
to bears. Red pandas are well adapted for climbing,
spending much of their time in trees foraging for food.
Giant
pandas are among the rarest mammals in the world. There
are approximately 1,000 left in the wild. Although,
giant pandas have few natural enemies, habitat encroachment
and destruction are the greatest threats to the survival
of the Giant Panda. This is mainly because of the demand
for land and natural resources by China's 1 billion
inhabitants.