Raccoon Dog Nyctereutes procyonoides

The Raccoon Dog, also called Tanuki, is native to East Asia and has been introduced to Eastern Europe. It is called "Raccoon" Dog because of its superficial resemblance to the Raccoon, especially when fattened for winter, but it is related to foxes rather than raccoons.

The Raccoon Dog is one of the only dogs to climb trees and is the only dog species to hibernate over winter. They live in pairs or small family units rather than packs, are monogamous and both parents raise the pups.

When preparing for hibernation, the dog will double its weight and its fur will become longer and thicker for insulation. Those shown here are in summer. Asian wild Raccoon Dog populations have declined massively through hunting for the fur trade. There has also been a substantial increase in farming of the dogs for their winter fur, especially in China where millions are bred for fur.

In parts of their introduced range in Europe they are seen as an undesirable invasive species.