Ailuropoda melanoleuca

panda pan"da (p[a^]n"d[.a]), n. (Zo["o]l.) 1. A small Asiatic mammal ({Ailurus fulgens}) having fine soft fur, which inhabits the mountains of Northern India. It was once thought to be related to the bears, but is now believed to be more closely related to raccoons. It has reddish-brown fur on the back and sides, and black fur on the legs and underside. Called also the {lesser panda}. [1913 Webster +PJC]

2. The {giant panda} ({Ailuropoda melanoleuca}), a bearlike black-and white mammal now found wild only in the central forests of China, which lives mainly on on bamboo. It is an endangered species, and is a popular attraction in the few zoos which have bveen able to obtain specimens. [PJC]