The Giant Panda Bear is a black and white Chinese bear that is on the verge of extinction. These large mammals have a big head, a heavy body, rounded ears, and a short tail. The panda is a symbol of peace and is the national animal for China. The Giant Panda Bear has long been a favorite of the public because it has an appealing baby like cuteness that makes the species resemble a living teddy bear. They once lived in lowland areas, but farming, forest clearing, and other developments now restrict Giant Pandas on the mountains. For many years the precise classification of the panda was under debate as both the Giant Panda and the distantly related Red Panda share characteristics of both racoons and bears. Genetic testing has revealed that Giant Pandas are true bears and part of the Ursidae family. The panda's closest bear relative is the Spectacled Bear of South America.