Everybody knows Po, the hero in Kung Fu Panda series, is a giant panda. But when asked about his master Shifu, can you be so sure? Is Master Shifu a red panda, or a raccoon, or a raccoon dog?
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Here are some tips to help you out:
Face
To differentiate between the three, first examine their faces:
Slide to see the red panda, the raccoon and the raccoon dog with their different faces. /VCG Photo
Slide to see the red panda, the raccoon and the raccoon dog with their different faces. /VCG Photo
Slide to see the red panda, the raccoon and the raccoon dog with their different faces. /VCG Photo
Slide to see the red panda, the raccoon and the raccoon dog with their different faces. /VCG Photo
Slide to see the red panda, the raccoon and the raccoon dog with their different faces. /VCG Photo
Slide to see the red panda, the raccoon and the raccoon dog with their different faces. /VCG Photo
If it has a reddish-brown face with two white-edged big ears, then its a red panda.
The grey/brown face with black eye masks – well, this one is tricky. Put simply, the raccoon's face is black and white, more like a "bandit mask," while the raccoon dog is black and grey/brown, with thicker hairs on the neck like a scarf.
Tail
Slide to see the red panda, the raccoon and the raccoon dog with their different tails. /VCG Photo
Slide to see the red panda, the raccoon and the raccoon dog with their different tails. /VCG Photo
Slide to see the red panda, the raccoon and the raccoon dog with their different tails. /VCG Photo
Slide to see the red panda, the raccoon and the raccoon dog with their different tails. /VCG Photo
Slide to see the red panda, the raccoon and the raccoon dog with their different tails. /VCG Photo
Slide to see the red panda, the raccoon and the raccoon dog with their different tails. /VCG Photo
Red and brown rings – the red panda.
Black and white rings – the raccoon.
No ring on the tail – the raccoon dog.
Paws
Slide to see the paws of the red panda, the raccoon and the dog (which is similar to the raccoon dog's). /VCG Photo
Slide to see the paws of the red panda, the raccoon and the dog (which is similar to the raccoon dog's). /VCG Photo
Slide to see the paws of the red panda, the raccoon and the dog (which is similar to the raccoon dog's). /VCG Photo
Slide to see the paws of the red panda, the raccoon and the dog (which is similar to the raccoon dog's). /VCG Photo
Slide to see the paws of the red panda, the raccoon and the dog (which is similar to the raccoon dog's). /VCG Photo
Slide to see the paws of the red panda, the raccoon and the dog (which is similar to the raccoon dog's). /VCG Photo
It's a red panda if it has five fingers including a false thumb. The red panda has two "thumbs" on its front paws, which are actually extended wrist bones. They help the red panda grab bamboos and climb trees.
If you see four fingers plus a degenerative one on the wrist, it's a raccoon dog. Check the front paws of your dog or cat and you will know what a raccoon dog's paw looks like.
Five fingers, all long and flexible – a raccoon which is famous for its super dexterous front paws. It has a very sharp sense of touch, too. Despite the lack of a real thumb, it can do almost anything with its "hands."
Taxonomy
All three species belong to order carnivore, but they are in different families. The raccoon dog is more closely related to dogs than raccoons while the red panda and the raccoon are distant cousins as they both belong to the superfamily of weasels.
Rarity
The red panda is certainly the rarest of the three. It is listed as endangered species on the IUCN red list, with the population decreasing and habitats being lost.
The red panda is listed as endangered, with its population decreasing. /VCG Photo
The red panda is listed as endangered, with its population decreasing. /VCG Photo
Both the raccoon and raccoon dog are listed as of "least concern" with stable or increasing populations. The raccoon dog is scattered across Europe and East Asia; while the raccoons have become a pest for some residents in North America.
The pygmy raccoon, or Cozumel raccoon, is a critically endangered raccoon species. /VCG Photo
The pygmy raccoon, or Cozumel raccoon, is a critically endangered raccoon species. /VCG Photo
However, some cousins of the raccoon are in danger of extinction, such as the pygmy raccoon (a critically endangered species with only 192 left on Cozumel Island off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico), and the olinguito (listed as "near endangered" and can only be found in small areas in the Andes of western Colombia and Ecuador).
So, back to our question in the beginning. Surely, you must already know the answer:
Master Shifu is a red panda!
Po's master is a red panda in the Kung Fu Panda series. /VCG Photo
Po's master is a red panda in the Kung Fu Panda series. /VCG Photo
(Video clips and cover image via VCG)
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an expert in the Kung Fu Panda series, I can confidently provide information about the characters, including Master Shifu. In this case, Master Shifu is indeed a red panda, not a raccoon or a raccoon dog. Let's explore the characteristics that differentiate these animals and confirm Master Shifu's identity.
Face
To distinguish between a red panda, a raccoon, and a raccoon dog, we can examine their faces. A red panda has a reddish-brown face with two white-edged big ears. On the other hand, a raccoon has a black and white face, resembling a "bandit mask." Lastly, a raccoon dog has a black and grey/brown face, with thicker hairs on the neck, resembling a scarf.
Tail
The tail is another distinguishing feature. A red panda has red and brown rings on its tail. In contrast, a raccoon has black and white rings on its tail. A raccoon dog, however, does not have any rings on its tail.
Paws
Examining the paws can also help identify these animals. A red panda has five fingers, including a false thumb. The red panda's front paws have two "thumbs," which are actually extended wrist bones. This adaptation helps them grab bamboo and climb trees. A raccoon dog, on the other hand, has four fingers plus a degenerative one on the wrist. The raccoon has five long and flexible fingers, known for its dexterity.
Taxonomy
While all three species belong to the order Carnivora, they are in different families. The raccoon dog is more closely related to dogs than raccoons. The red panda and the raccoon are distant cousins, belonging to the superfamily of weasels.
Rarity
In terms of rarity, the red panda is the rarest of the three. It is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List, with a decreasing population and loss of habitats. On the other hand, both the raccoon and raccoon dog are listed as "least concern" with stable or increasing populations. Some raccoon species, such as the pygmy raccoon and the olinguito, are in danger of extinction.
In conclusion, Master Shifu from the Kung Fu Panda series is indeed a red panda. Red pandas are unique creatures with distinct features that set them apart from raccoons and raccoon dogs.
