Classification
 

Kingdom: Animalia
    ◊ Multicellular
    ◊ Lack cell walls
    ◊ Cells organized into tissues
    ◊ Heterotrophic

Phylum: Chordata
    ◊ Triploblastic (three tissue layers)
    ◊ Bilateral symmetry
    ◊ Notochord
    ◊ Postanal tail
    ◊ Pharyngeal pouches
    ◊ Complete digestive tract
    ◊ Dorsal nerve cord
    ◊ Coelom or body cavity

Class:  Mammalia
    ◊ Body covered with hair
    ◊ Mammary glands
    ◊ Internal fertilization
    ◊ Four-chambered heart
    ◊ Endothermic
 

Family:  Ailuridae
    ◊ Thick fur
    ◊ Long tail
    ◊ Round face
    ◊ Tear tracks around eyes

Genus:  Ailurus

Species:  Ailurus fulgens

Subspecies:  Ailurus fulgens styani
    ◊ Larger than other subspecies,        Ailurus fulgens  fulgens
    ◊ Fur is a more intense, rust
       color
    ◊ Longer winter coat than other
       subspecies
    ◊ Stronger teeth

      The red panda's classification has been a very controversial topic in the past and is still a controversial topic today.  When red pandas were first discovered, they were placed in the bear family, Ursidae.  It was not until later that they were moved to the raccoon family, Procyonidae.  The reason for the confusion of the placement of the red panda exists because the red panda shares characteristics with both the bear and raccoon families.  For instance, the red panda has similar skull and tooth structures to the giant panda, a specific species within the Ursidae family.  Furthermore, the red panda has also adapted forepaws for manipulating bamboo and has adapted to a similar environment as the giant panda.  On the other hand, the red panda also shares characteristics with the raccoon family including a thick, banded tail, a masked face, and pointed ears.  Yet despite these similarities, the red panda has been currently placed in its own family, Ailuridae, based on molecular phylogenics.