Are red pandas just painted raccoons?

Yes. The red panda is as much of a painted raccoon, as you are a shaved baboon. read more

A Red Panda is more beautiful than a raccoon. Red Pandas are adorable and they are pretty good in hiding from predators. Raccoons are highly intelligent and curious creatures, but they can also be a nuisance to any homeowner. read more

It was clear that red pandas were members of the taxonomic "infraorder" Arctoidea, placing them in a group with bears, pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walrus), raccoons, and mustelids (weasels, skunks, otters, and badgers). read more