The red panda, also known as the lesser panda, is a
small mammal native to the
eastern Himalayas and
southwestern China.
Red pandas feed mainly on
bamboo shoots and leaves, but also
on fruits and blossoms.
Despite the name resemblance, red pandas are
not related giant pandas.
A red panda's genetics much closely resembles animals of the
Mustelidae family, which includes weasels and otters.
Despite not being related to
giant pandas., their patterns serve
the same function, to camoflage.