Are Pandas Considered Bears?

Scientists have debated for more than a century whether giant pandas belong to the bear family, the raccoon family, or a separate family of their own. ... Accordingly, giant pandas are categorized in the bear family while red pandas are the only members of their family, Ailuridae.

Is a panda a bear yes or no?

Size, habitat and diet

But plenty of genetic studies have made it clear that pandas are a type of bear, according to the San Diego Zoo. Also called great pandas, parti-colored bears, bamboo bears and white bears, giant pandas are distinguished from other pandas by their large size and black-and-white coloring.

Is a panda a marsupial or a bear?

For many decades, the precise taxonomic classification of the giant panda was under debate because it shares characteristics with both bears and raccoons. However, molecular studies indicate the giant panda is a true bear, part of the family Ursidae.