The red panda, known scientifically as Ailurus fulgens, is classified in the Animalia kingdom, within the class Mammalia. It falls under the order Carnivora and the family Ailuridae, which is a taxonomical group that includes only the red panda and its closest relatives.
To break it down further:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Carnivora
- Family: Ailuridae
- Genus: Ailurus
- Species: Ailurus fulgens
Red pandas are not closely related to the giant pandas, despite the similarities in their names. They share the family Ailuridae, which is separate from the family Ursidae, where the giant panda belongs. This unique classification highlights the distinct evolutionary paths that these two species have taken, even as they both have adapted to similar habitats and dietary needs.