2006-09-22 18:53:04 · 15 answers · asked by kcs_636 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
YES they are bears. Taxonomic family Ursidae.
NO koalas aren't bears, they are marsupials. They got the nickname because they're cute and look like teddy bears.
As for the "raccoon family" comment, there are 2 types of pandas. The giant panda is a bear, most definitely. While the red panda is distantly related to the raccoon but is in a family of it's own, scientists don't quite know where to stick it at the moment. The two are not related, panda is just a word that means "eater of bamboo," and interestingly enough, the red panda was named before the giant panda was.
2006-09-23 17:32:14 · answer #1 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca "black-and-white cat-foot") is a mammal classified in the BEAR family, Ursidae, native to central and southern China.
The panda's main food is bamboo, but they may eat other foods such as honey, eggs, fish, and yams. Easily recognizable through its large, distinctive black patches around the eyes, ears and on its rotund body, the giant panda is an endangered animal: an estimated 1,600 pandas live in the wild and some 188 were reported to live in captivity at the end of 2005. However, reports show that the panda numbers in the wild are on the rise.
2006-09-22 19:03:30 · answer #2 · answered by _emochic`L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im not sure about a panda, but someone said is a Koala bear a bear.
I'm Australian and I will tell you: NO! Despite the mith, Koala's are not bears and it is just a prefix name Americans have added on.
2006-09-23 02:22:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pandas are biologically unique. They are classified as bears, but unlike other bears, cannot store enough body fat to hibernate.
2006-09-22 19:03:05 · answer #4 · answered by noogney 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
great Pandas are bears, they belong to the order Carnivora (carnivores), kinfolk Ursidae (bears) the species is Ailuropoda melanoleuca, pink pandas, on the different hand, are no longer bears, additionally they belong to the order Carnivora yet are in a various kinfolk (Ailuridae) and are extra heavily correct with Procyonids (Raccoons, Olingos, coaties and others)
2016-10-17 11:58:03 · answer #5 · answered by equils 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes pandas are bears. Family Ursidae.
2006-09-22 18:59:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pandas are bears...special bears, but definately bears.
Whoever asked if koalas are bears up above...no, koalas are marsupials...
2006-09-22 19:31:37 · answer #7 · answered by Shaun 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is a koala bear a bear?
2006-09-22 19:01:56 · answer #8 · answered by Sindri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are in the same family
sci name----Ailuropoda Melanoleuca
all are grouped under the biological classification family: Ursidae
2006-09-22 19:09:21 · answer #9 · answered by ajm_jr_2005 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they're technically a member of the raccoon family (and technically not a bear)
http://www.davidson60.freeserve.co.uk/pandas.htm
2006-09-22 19:04:58 · answer #10 · answered by WhiteLilac1 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋