Red Panda
© John W Banagan/Stone/Getty Images
A panda apart
This critter feels most at home up in the trees, but its precise place on the mammal family tree is still debated by biologists. The red panda shares a name (and bamboo diet) with the giant panda, but gene studies have suggested a tighter evolutionary link with mustelids like weasels and skunks. In any case, the red panda remains alone in the Ailuridae family—but that could change. Some researchers think the Himalayan highlands' red pandas are distinct enough from those in southwest China (like our bushy-bodied buddy here) to be another species. Hey, why not? Cute deserves company.
Male lion lying in grass
Climbing tawny lion cub on log
Lioness stretching in summer
Grizzly Bear Fishing River Mountains
Two lion cubs embracing on rock
Brown bear cub on tree stump, meadow, evergreen forest, mountains
Lion Cub
Meerkat family huddle
