RACCOON DOGS
Raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) are mammals native to Asia that sort of look like raccoons. Officially known as common raccoon dogs, they are members of the dog (Canidae) family. Their English name is a bit misleading because raccoons are not members of the dog family. As for their scientific name, Nyctos means "night" and ereuna means "seeking." Prokyon means "before dog" and eidos means "form." The closest relative of the common raccoon dog is the tanuki (Japanese raccoon dog, Nyctereutes viverrinus).
Raccoon dogs are not closely related to any other member of Canidae. Thought to represent a primitive member of the dog family, they have the unusual characteristic of supernumerary chromosomes and shares homologous chromosomes with members of Felidae (cat) family. For these reasons, the taxonomic position of raccoon dogs is not clear. It was long thought that the tanuki was a subspecies of raccoon dog but is now recognized as a separate species. Tanukis have smaller stomachs and shorter fur with lesser insulation than mainland raccoon dogs. A rare, white color type can also be found. [Source: Wikipedia, Kelly Carr, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
Raccoon dogs originally evolved in North America, but later crossed over the Bering land bridge to Asia. The North American forms have since become extinct. Taxonomists recognize five to six subspecies. Raccoon dogs thrive in a number of different habitats. Their success is due in large part to their adaptability, high reproductive rate, tolerance of human presence, and opportunistic foraging behavior. Their raccoon dogs in the wild is 7.5 to 11 years. Their lifespan in captivity has been more than 14 years. In a study of trapped animals in the 1980s, the oldest males were 5.5 years, and the oldest females were 7.5 years. Of 320 raccoon dogs captured, 68.4 percent were younger adults. /=\
RELATED ARTICLE: TANUKIS (JAPANESE RACCOON DOGS): CHARACTERISTICS, BEHAVIOR, FOLKLORE factsanddetails.com
Raccoon Dog Subspecies, Habitat and Where They Are Found
Raccoon dogs live primarily in lowlands, forests and mountain valleys and are found near and in human-settled areas, even cities. They are found in subarctic and subtropical climates. They prefers forest, forest borders, or dense vegetation — particularly areas of thick underbrush, marshes, and reedbeds — for cover. They have been spotted at elevations up to 3000 meters (9843 feet) and like to be near water. They mostly commonly encroach human settlements when scavenging for food.
Raccoon dogs are native to eastern Siberia, northern China, North Vietnam and Korea. The Japanese raccoon dog (tanuki) lives in Japan. Between 1927 and 1957, the fur-farming industry introduced between 4,000 to 9,000 raccoon dogs to the European and Asian U.S.S.R. Today, Raccoon dogs are widespread throughout northern and western Europe in countries including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, France, Austria, and Hungary. [Source: Kelly Carr, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
Scientists recognize about a half dozen regional subspecies.As of 2005, four subspecies were recognised by MSW3 (Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference): 1)Chinese raccoon dog (N. p. procyonoides), found in eastern China; 2) Korean raccoon dog (N. p. koreensis), found on the Korean Peninsula; 3) Yunnan raccoon dog (N. p. orestes), found in southeastern China and northern Vietnam; and 4) Ussuri raccoon dog(N. p. ussuriensis), found in eastern Russia (Siberian Ussuri and Amur territories), northeastern China and North Korea.
The Ussuri raccoon dog is distinguished from the Chinese raccoon dog by its larger size and denser, longer hair. After being introduced to the western USSR, the The Ussuri raccoon dog now occurs throughout Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. The Japanese raccoon dog was also considered a subspecies (N. p. viverrinus), but is currently thought to represent a distinct species.
Raccoon Dog Characteristics
Raccoon dogs have stout, rounded bodies, short legs and black and grey fur. They have distinctive stripes of black fur under their eyes, a bit like pandas or raccoons. Males have large testicles and scrotums which allows them to mate frequently. Raccoon dogs range in weight from four to 10 kilograms (8.8 to 22 pounds) and have a head and body length that ranges from 50 to 68 centimeters (19.7 to 26.8 inches). Their tail is 13 to 25 centimeters (5.1 to 9.8 inches) long. They are endothermic (use their metabolism to generate heat and regulate body temperature independent of the temperatures around them) and warm-blooded (homoiothermic, having a constant body temperature, usually higher than the temperature of their surroundings). Sexual Dimorphism (differences between males and females) is present: Females are larger than males. The weight of adult females in China and Japan is 0.5 kilograms more than males. [Source: Kelly Carr, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
Raccoon dogs have small heads (greatest length 13.3 centimeters) with pointed, low-profile rostra (face and snout). Their height ranges from 38.1 to 50.8 centimeters (14 to 20 inches). Body weight ranges from four to six kilograms (8.8 to 11 pounds) in the summer to six to 10 kilograms (11 to 22 pounds) in the winter before hibernation. On average, raccoon dogs in Europe tend to be larger than those in China and Japan. The existence and dispersal of several subspecies of raccoon dogs may be the reason why. The dental formula of raccoon dogs is i 3/3, c 1/1, p 4/4, m. two or 3/3, total 42 or 44. Raccoon dogs have reduced carnassials and relatively large molars.
The fur markings of raccoon dogs is similar to those of raccoons. Raccoon dog fur is dense and soft. According to Animal Diversity Web: Markings on the head include a white muzzle, white face, and black fur surrounding the eyes. A black marking runs across both shoulders and down the back, forming the shape of a cross. Ears are rounded and short; black hair one the ears trims the white hair inside. Body color is dusky brown to yellow-brown dorsally but varies greatly. Long guard hairs, found throughout the dorsal side, are tipped black. On the belly, the fur is lighter brown or tan. Limbs and chest are blackish-brown. Raccoon dogs have thick, bushy tails that are black dorsally and light-yellow ventrally with a black tip. Winter fur is thicker and darker than summer fur. Raccoon dogs goes through a molt in the summer between July and October. The winter fur grows in during September, October, and November. Raccoon dogs also have a spring molt that begins in April when the underfur is shed. The summer coat is in by mid-June.
Racoon Dog Diet and Feeding Behavior
Racoon dogs are opportunistic omnivores (eat a variety of things, including plants and animals), who eat pretty much anything. Animal foods include insects, crabs, grubs, crawfish, worms, centipedes, spiders, rodents, lizards, frogs, slugs, snails, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish eggs, carrion, mollusks. aquatic crustaceans and echinoderms. They even eat poisonous toads, apparently by diluting the poison with large amounts of saliva. Among the plant foods they eat are nuts, fruits, honey, leaves, berries, acorns, roots, tubers, bulbs, wood, bark, stems, seeds and grains. [Source:Kelly Carr, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
On land, racoon dogs hunt insects, small rodents, snakes, lizards, amphibians and birds and eat eggs. They also seek animals in lakes, rivers, and streams using their paws to scoop prey out of the water. Racoon dogs have been observed diving underwater in search of food. By the sea In addition, racoon dogs eat mollusks,; on the seashore, crabs, sea urchins, and sea carrion are also consumed. (Colby, 1965; Sheldon, 1992) /=\
Racoon dogs also eat plant material according to the season and location. Kelly Carr wrote in Animal Diversity Web: During the fall, they eat mainly vegetables, including a variety of fruits, wild berries, and seeds such as oats. In the winter, when food sources are limited, they may survive on human garbage and carrion. In Japan, racoon dogs rely heavily on garbage, insects, fish, crabs, and plants such as buckthorn (Rhamnus), hornbeam (Carpinus), and a shrub (Aucuba japonica). In Finland, during the summers, they rely on small mammals (Mus musculus), plants, and amphibians; during the winter, they rely on carrion, small mammals, and plants. /=\
Racoon dogs are not cursorial (with limbs adapted to running) and thus generally don’t chase after prey like dogs and other canids can. Racoon dogs tend to forage on the ground or on low vegetation using their sense of smell to locate food. They have relatively poor vision for a canid. When foraging, theu tend have their nose near the ground and are relentless in their search for food. /=\
Raccoon Dog Behavior
Raccoon dogs are terricolous (live on the ground), natatorial (equipped for swimming), diurnal (active during the daytime), nocturnal (active at night), crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), motile (move around as opposed to being stationary), hibernate and are social. While studies in the past had shown that raccoon dogs tended to be primarily nocturnal more recent studies indicate they are diurnal and crepuscular as well as nocturnal. This could be related to needing more time to locate food. [Source: Kelly Carr, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
Kevin Short wrote in the Daily Yomiuri: Most members of the dog family are adapted to open habitats, and sport long legs for running down prey. The raccoon dog's "black-stockinged" legs, however, are way too short for the chase. They prefer a lifestyle of leisurely foraging in the forest floor. Raccoon dogs are said to be excellent swimmers, and unusual for canines, can also climb trees. Unlike many members of the dog family, which are fast and travel in packs, raccoon dogs are largely slow-moving solitary animals. In the autumn and winter however they can often be seen in small family groups. Their short legs and compact profile are adapted for life in the forest. Rather than chasing down prey they are they more likely to amble along, foraging whatever they can find. .[Source: Kevin Short, Daily Yomiuri, September 13, 2012]
Raccoon dogs play dead. They can be attacked and vigorously shaken by a dog and kicked by a hunter and lie without moving for about 30 minutes with a glazed over look in their eyes and then “wake up” and walk away. The size of their range territory is 0.26 to 20 square kilometers, with their average territory size being 3.4 square kilometers. A male-female pair often share the same home range and may remain close together when active. In areas where home-range overlaps, neighbors do not interact, showing that raccoon dogs are not territorial and do not defend an area within their home range. The population density of raccoon dogs in Japan (ranging from 0.46 to 0.86/ha) is greater than that of raccon dogs in Europe (ranging from 0.0014 to 0.048/ha). This disparity may be explained by environmental differences or the occurrence of different subspecies in each area. /=\
Radiotelemetry studies show that raccoon dogs live and hunt in pairs or small family groups. In most sightings by humans, however, they are solitary. It is unknown whether the duration of the pair bond formed during reproduction lasts the entire year. When sleeping or resting, pairs usually remain in contact with one another. Social grooming is also important in raccoon dogs. This behavior is linked to the dark facial mask in both this species and bat-eared foxes ./=\
Raccoon dogs hibernate in pairs. Hibernation refers to the state that some animals enter during winter in which normal physiological processes are significantly reduced, thus lowering the animal’s energy requirements). For raccoon dogs, hibernation begins in November and may extend through early April, depending on local weather conditions. Raccoon dogs have been known to gain as much as 50 percent of their body weight before hibernation. Hibernation is not always necessary or absolute. If the climate is warm enough and food is available they may not hibernate at all. In the southernmost part of their range, raccoon dogs do not hibernate. And, if an individual is unable to store enough fat beforehand, it may emerge from the den on warm winter days to forage.
Racoon Dog Senses and Communication
Racoon dogs sense and communicate with vision, touch, sound and chemicals usually detected by smelling. They also leave scent marks produced by special glands and placed so others can smell and taste them. Racoon dogs are vocal animals. The sounds they produce are different than those of other canids. For example, they do not bark and some of their vocalizations are more cat-like than dog-like. They may mew, whine or whimper in combination with friendly or submissive behavior and growl when frightened or aggressive. [Source: Kelly Carr, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
Racoon dogs uses latrines to communicate with other members of the species. A latrine is a definite site where an entire group of racoon dogs will both urinate and defecate. Research has suggested that racoon dogs use latrines for information exchange among family members as well strangers. When they encounter one another racoon dogs may modify their behavior based on olfactory information they pick up.
In addition to scent cues and sound communication, racoon dogs use some body postures — such as tail position — to indicate dominance and readiness to mate. Tactile communication if probably important between parents and offspring, as well as between mates.
Racoon Dog Mating, Reproduction and Offspring
Racoon dogs are generally monogamous (having one mate at a time) but polygamy (males having more than one female as a mate at one time) has been reported in captivity. Racoon dogs engage in seasonal breeding only once per year. Mating occurs in January, February or March in late winter or early spring. The number of offspring ranges from one to 19, with the average number being six. Racoon dog young are born in a den in early summer. Both parents care for the cubs, which grow quickly. The gestation period ranges from 59 to 64 days, with the average being 61 days. The age at which young are weaned ranges from 30 to 70 days and the age in which they become independent ranges from four to five months. Females and males reach sexual or reproductive maturity at nine to 11 months. [Source: Kelly Carr, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
Studies have shown that racoon dogs form mating pairs from year to year. Females come into heat once a year, after hibernation. Studies of racoon dogs in captivity show that estrus lasts from three to five days. During the breeding season, females are courted by three to four males. An inverted U-shaped tail posture in males is associated sexual arousal and expresses dominance. There is little fighting among males for mates. Copulation ties last an average of six minutes. In captivity, both scent marking and male-female interaction increased during proestrus. Pair bonds form before copulation and remain until after offspring have become independent. After pairs mate and the female gives birth, males and females spend a significant amount of time together raising the pups. /=\
Racoon dogs usually gives birth in dense vegetation or in burrows that have been abandoned by foxes or badgers. They are altricial. This means that young are born relatively underdeveloped and are unable to feed or care for themselves or move independently for a period of time after birth. Racoon dog pups are born blind and have soft, black fur. They weigh between 60 and 115 grams at birth depending on subspecies. On the 9th and 10th day, pups open their eyes. Teeth appear by 14 to 16 days. When young are 30 to 40 days of age, about the time they are weaned, the typical face mask and guard hairs are fully developed. Juveniles are the size of small adults at 80 to 85 days of age. /=\
Male racoon dogs take part in the raising of young. Pre-birth provisioning and protecting are provided by the male. During the pre-weaning and pre-independence stages provisioning and protecting are done by males and females. During late pregnancy, the male brings the female food. After the young are weaned, at 30 to 40 days, the male typically watches over them while the female hunts for food. The male may also hunt while the female watches the young. At four months, the pups begin learning how to hunt for themselves by watching their parents. After a relatively short period time, they are self-supporting although they may remain with their parents, and hunt as a family, until the fall. At that point, they are independent.. /=\
Raccoon Dogs, Humans and Conservation
Raccoon dogs are not endangered. On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List they are listed as a species of Least Concern. In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they have no special status. Their traditional habitats have been disrupted but they have adapted to new ones. In some places they are (or were) eaten for meat and their body parts were sources of traditional medicines.The bones have been used in medicines and as aphrodisiacs. Finland and the former U.S.S.R. have benefitted from the trading of the fur of Raccoon dogs. Pelts have been used for necklets, collars, and fur coats. In Japan, people used to eat raccoon dogs and use their fur for bristles for calligraphy brushes. [Source: Kelly Carr, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
Raccoon dogs are capable of living in areas close to humans but they are also capable of carrying human diseases and passing on diseases from other animals to humans. Raccoon dogs were one possible intermediaries for the spread of the coronavirus — that produced Covid-19 — from bats to humans. Raccoon dogs have been killed as possible carriers of diseases and because they sometimes eat crops and prey on small-game animals and other wildlife.
Raccoon dogs are very proficient at taking advantage of whatever food sources are available. They sometimes come into gardens, farms and fields looking for food. They have adapted better than many animals to urban sprawl. They can be found in many suburbs and sometimes survive in the inner city. Raccoon dogs are not above forging in garbage dumps, stealing food left for cats and dogs, or raiding chicken coops, sometimes biting off the heads of birds that stick their necks out of their cages. Sometimes their interaction with dogs causes them to get distemper and other diseases.
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Text Sources: Animal Diversity Web animaldiversity.org ; National Geographic, Live Science, Natural History magazine, David Attenborough books, Daily Yomiuri, Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO), New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Discover magazine, The New Yorker, Time, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Wikipedia, The Guardian, Top Secret Animal Attack Files website and various books and other publications.
Last updated March 2025