Do think or know the difference, Panda Bears really bears or are they a racoon?

This has been a scientific debate for years. I read a website that says the have decided they are a rare bear. What do you think?Do think or know the difference, Panda Bears really bears or are they a racoon?
The Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca, literally ';cat-foot black-and-white';) is a mammal classified in the bear family (Ursidae), native to central-western and southwestern China. The Giant Panda was previously thought to be a member of the Procyonidae family because they used to eat meat and fish (raccoons and their relatives).Do think or know the difference, Panda Bears really bears or are they a racoon?
Genetic studies have shown that the giant panda is definitely genetically closer to bears than they are to raccoons.





However, genetic studies also show that the red or lesser panda is definitely more closely related to raccoons than they are to bears.





Genetic analysis (and comparative anatomy) also shows that red pandas and giant pandas are much closer to each other than either is to any other group of organisms.





So this greatly confuses systematists, who much prefer a simple cladogram that lays out the same way no matter which way you approach it.





There have been a few attempts to resolve this taxonomically, but none of the attempts have met with universal acceptance. So you will find taxonomic schemes that put the red panda in Procyonidae (with the raccoons), and the giant panda in Ursidae (with the bears) - which gives the shuddering heebie jibblies to those who think that Family relationships should not split out critters that are demonstrably closely related.





You find other taxonomic schemes that put both pandas in a subfamily within either the Ursidae or Procyonidae - which again ignores the evidence of genetic linkage to the other group.





Probably the best solution is the scheme which puts the pandas in their own Family, usually called Ailuropodidae. It's still not perfect, because one member in the family is still closely related to the Procyonids, while the other's closer to the Ursids, but it at least is a bit more reflective of the actual genetic, morphological and phylogenetic relationships of the group.
Genetic evidence clearly shows that the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is definitely a bear. It belongs to the bear family, Ursidae. The red or lesser panda (Ailurus fulgens), however, is currently placed in the raccoon family, Procyonidae, though some scientists believe it should be placed in a family of its own. The two are not closely related, though this was once thought to be the case, hence the shared common name.
It depends upon which panda you mean. These days, the Giant panda is generally interpreted as a bear. The Red panda, on the other paw, is thought to be closer to racoons, although not a racoon itself. Both are in the same order but not all that closely related.
Their forepaws are different than all of the other bears, so that is why they classify them, or try to, differently. i still say, even with the few differences, they are still bears.
Not bears or racoons





Dalmations
Well as that the red panda the less seen version is much smaller and ring tailed I'd vote raccoon.
panda bears are on the way of extinction..if is that what you asked..the poachers are killing it
I believe they are invisible with black and white patches so that we can see them
They are bears...
they are bears.
they are bears
no.
COONS! mama just chased them off with a broom.......

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