Subscribe to one of our news e-mail lists . Two giant pandas made their public premiere on Wednesday, wrestling, eating and rolling their way into the hearts of curious onlookers at the National Zoo.
Pandas are mammals and are part of the bear family.
They're most genetically similar to bears, although they branched off of the bear line about 3 million years ago. The two juveniles join five other giant pandas in the United States. Only about 1,000 of the highly endangered animals remain in their native habitat, the remote mountain forests in Central China. Throngs of panda enthusiasts waited in long lines to catch a glimpse of the Washington zoo's newest star attractions. The pair arrived in Washington on December 6 aboard a specially outfitted jet.