What is the scientific name for a red panda?

The scientific name for the red panda is Ailurus fulgens. The red panda resembles a raccoon with reddish fur. Although red pandas are placed in the order Carnivora, they are generally herbivorous and feed mainly on bamboo, seeds and fruit.

When the red panda was originally classified, it was placed with the bears in the family Ursidae because its skull and teeth are similar to the giant panda, a species of bear. Later, the red panda was found to be more related to the raccoons and was then moved to family Procyonidae. Although it shares characteristics with both the members of Ursidae and Procyonidae, the red panda has since been given its own family: Ailuridae.