The Mainland Raccoon Dog is a member of the dog family native to mainland East Asia, with short legs and a dark facial mask. There is no wild population in the United States, where federal law restricts its import and movement.

Appearance

Appearance
It has a stocky body, short legs, rounded ears, and a dark mask around the eyes. Adults are about 20–27 in (50–68 cm) long from head to rump and weigh roughly 9–22 lb (4–10 kg), with strong seasonal variation.

Look-alikes

Common RaccoonProcyon lotor

A raccoon (Procyon lotor) has a clearly ringed tail and long, finger-like front toes. A raccoon dog has a bushy, unringed tail and ordinary paws like a dog’s.

Why they get mixed upBoth have a dark facial mask.

Where it lives

Typical habitats
  • forest edges
  • wetlands and reedbeds
  • dense scrub
Range
Its native range covers parts of China, Mongolia, Korea, Russia, and Vietnam. Introduced populations are widespread in parts of northern and western Europe, but it is not native to the United States.
Preferred conditions
It favors dense cover and often stays near water, though it can also forage near towns.

Behavior

Diet
This flexible eats insects, small animals with backbones, eggs, dead animals, fruits, nuts, and seeds. The mix changes with place and season.
Activity
It forages on the ground and can swim. In cold parts of its range it may spend winter in a prolonged resting state, emerging during mild weather.
Social life
Pairs or small family groups may forage together, and both parents help care for the young.

Life cycle

Gestation
Pregnancy lasts about 59–64 days.
Litter size
A litter commonly has 5–7 pups, though litter size varies.

Name and classification

About the name
The Japanese Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes viverrinus) was previously included under Nyctereutes procyonoides but is now treated as a separate species. The name raccoon dog is also used.

Conservation

IUCN Red List
LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction
10 sources
  1. iNaturalist Taxon API: Nyctereutes procyonoides
  2. 생물분류 현장종사자 역량강화 교재(포유류 현장조사 가이드북): 너구리
  3. Animal Diversity Web: Nyctereutes procyonoides
  4. Mammal Diversity Database: Nyctereutes procyonoides
  5. Mammal Diversity Database: Nyctereutes viverrinus
  6. The Lacey Act's injurious wildlife list helps prevent harm to and from wildlife
  7. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mammal Brochure: Raccoon
  8. Korean raccoon dog and water deer thermal survey
  9. FWS injurious wildlife list
  10. 日本環境省タヌキ分布調査
Mainland Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) — identification, habitat & look-alikes | Moeyo