Members of a species of bear inhabiting bamboo forests in the mountains of central China, distinguished by a striking coat of black and white, a bulky body, round face, and a diet. An unusual anatomic characteristic is an enlarged wrist bone that functions somewhat like a thumb, enabling pandas to handle food with considerable dexterity. Although the animal was formerly classified with racoons and their relatives, it is now agreed that they are bears. It is endangered by loss of habitat.
