lesser panda

2 definitions found

lesser panda - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  panda \pan"da\ (p[a^]n"d[.a]), n. (Zool.)
     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]

lesser panda - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  lesser panda
      n 1: reddish-brown Old World raccoon-like carnivore; in some
           classifications considered unrelated to the giant pandas
           [syn: lesser panda, red panda, panda, bear cat,
           cat bear, Ailurus fulgens]