Raccoon Dogs
For the tropical storm, see Typhoon Neoguri (2008).
Binomial name
Nyctereutes procyonoides
(Gray, 1834)
The Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides, from the Greek words nycto-, "night"; ereutes, "wanderer"; procyon, "raccoon"; and the suffix -oid) is a member of the canid family (which includes dogs, wolves, and foxes) and is indigenous to east Asia. It is not a true dog, and is the only extant species in its genus Nyctereutes.
It is named for its superficial resemblance to the non-canid raccoon, although individuals living in the Arctic have fur that changes to white so they can blend in with their surroundings.
The Raccoon Dog is native to China, Korea, Japan, and southeastern Siberia. Average adult head and body length is about 65 cm (2 ft) and weight ranges from 4 to 10 kg (9 to 22 lb).
Longevity is 3–4 years in the wild and up to 11 years in captivity. It is found in both plains and mountainous regions and is especially common in woodlands.
The Raccoon Dog is commonly seen near villages and in rural areas.
Native East Asia Raccoon Dog populations have declined in recent years due to hunting, fur trade and fur trapping, urbanization, an increase of animals associated with human civilization such as pets and abandoned animals, and diseases that may be transmitted between them.
Subspecies
The six recognized subspecies of the Raccoon Dog are:
Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis (Mori, 1922) found in Korea
Nyctereutes procyonoides orestes (Thomas, 1923) found in Yunnan (China)
Nyctereutes procyonoides ussuriensis (Matschie, 1907) found in South Siberia (Russia)
Nyctereutes procyonoides albus (Hokkaido Raccoon Dog) (Beard, 1904) found in Hokkaido, Japan
Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus (Japanese Raccoon Dog) (Temminck, 1838) found in the rest of Japan
Nyctereutes procyonoides procyonoides (Temminck, 1838) found in the rest of Asia
A Raccoon Dog in a zoo
Taxidermy of Japanese Raccoon Dog, Morinji, Tatebayashi, Gunma, wearing the waraji on feet and standing, 2008 Feb., 11
There is some debate in the scientific community regarding speciation between the Siberian subspecies (N. viverrinus) in that due to chromosome, behavioral and weight differences, the Japanese raccoon dog should be considered a separate species from the other subspecies.
Behavior
Like many other canids, it is omnivorous.
However, its diet is atypically diverse, consisting of invertebrates, frogs, lizards, rodents and birds along with seeds and berries. Mating season begins when the Raccoon Dog emerges from its winter den.
When the cubs are born after a gestation of about 60 days, the male will assist in cub-rearing, first by providing food to his mate and then also caring for the cubs when they are weaned, about 50 days after birth, while the mother gathers food. Raccoon Dog pups continue to nurse even after they begin eating solid food.
They aren't weaned until eight weeks of age, later than any other canid. They become physically and sexually mature after one year.
The Raccoon Dog is the only canid to go into torpor through the cold months.
It is also unusual in that its curved claws enable it to climb trees; the only other canid with this ability is the Gray Fox. It does not bark and it turns its tail into an inverted U to express dominance.
The Raccoon Dog's teeth are small for a canid.
Introduction in Europe
Between 1931 and 1955, the N. ussuriensis subspecies were introduced to the European part of the Soviet Union as potential fur or game animals and have spread rapidly since.
In 1960 Latvia officially reported that a total of 4210 Raccoon Dogs were hunted. No negative effects on native fauna have been reported. However, speculation exists that the introduction of the Raccoon Dog to Europe brought with it infected ticks that introduced the Asian Tick-borne meningoencephalitis virus.
The Raccoon Dog is now abundant throughout Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and has been reported as far as France, Italy, and Switzerland.
Use for fur
An investigation by three animal protection groups into the Chinese fur trade in 2004 and part of 2005 asserts that approximately 1.5 million raccoon dogs are being raised for fur in China. The Raccoon Dog comprises 11% of all animals hunted in Japan. Twenty percent of domestically produced fur in Russia is from the Raccoon Dog.
In late 2006, MSNBC reported that Macy's had pulled from its shelves and its Web site two styles of Sean John hooded jackets, originally advertised as featuring faux fur, after an investigation by the nation's largest animal protection organization concluded that the garments were actually made from raccoon dog. Combs, the label's founder, said he had been unaware of the material, but as soon as he knew about it, he had his clothing line stop using the material.
On April 24, 2008, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) filed a false advertising complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission alleging that at least 20 retailers in the US have been mislabeling Raccoon Dog fur.
According to HSUS, 70% of fur garments they tested were Raccoon Dog but were mislabeled as faux fur, coyote, rabbit or other animals.
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