Why do Red Pandas resemble Raccoons more, than Bears like the Giant Pandas do?
Red Pandas resemble raccoons more because red pandas are close relatives of raccoons. Red Pandas are more closely related to raccoons than they are to the Giant Panda. Even though the raccoon and the Red Panda last shared a common ancestor over 20 million years ago, they nevertheless resemble each other because neither of them has changed all that much during the past 20 million years or so. It appears that both lineages fall into the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” category. The bear lineage (which includes the Giant Panda), on the other hand, haschanged much more during the same period of time.
