* Their reddish-brown fur: The most obvious reason is their distinctive reddish-brown coat, which is a striking feature.
* Their association with pandas: While not closely related to giant pandas, red pandas share some similarities in appearance, particularly their fluffy tails.
* Their diet: Like giant pandas, red pandas are primarily bamboo eaters, contributing to the "panda" part of their name.
However, it's important to note that red pandas are not closely related to giant pandas. They belong to a different family entirely – the Ailuridae – and are actually more closely related to weasels and raccoons.
So, while the "panda" part of their name might be a bit misleading, it's a name that stuck due to their shared appearance and diet with giant pandas, along with their striking reddish-brown fur.