Common raccoon dog

racoon dog

A raccoon dog

Tanuki (Raccoon Dog):The National Animal of Japan. Watch out if you see one! Mythically, they are magical tricksters!

#AnimalObsessed タヌキ / Raccoon dog

Their home ranges lie on opposite ends of the world, yet they share a common trait: The North American raccoon (Procyon lotor) and the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), originally a native of Asia, were both brought to Europe during the 20th century in the wake of fur farming and as prey animals for hunters. Since then, both species have spread over wide areas. Throughout Europe, the raccoon is now established in 20 countries, while the raccoon dog inhabits as many as 33 countries.

The Japanese raccoon dog, also known as tanuki, is a subspecies of the raccoon dog native to Japan. The animal has been significant in Japanese folklore since ancient times. The legendary tanuki is reputed to be mischievous and jolly, a master of disguise and shapeshifting, but somewhat gullible and absentminded. It is also a common theme in Japanese art, especially statuary.

Raccoon dog

Next raccoon dog picture, he looks a bit funny on this one!

Raccoon Dog by Jirí Míchal-- The raccoon dog, also known as the mangut or tanuki, is a canid indigenous to East Asia. It's named that because it resembles a racoon, but it is not one.

タヌキ / Raccoon dog

A raccoon licking the inside of an egg on a wooden plate. Made it in Explore, #380, April 19th, 2012.

Racoon Dog - The raccoon dog, which is not a raccoon, is a member of the Canid family (which includes dogs, wolves and coyotes). Originally the animal was from the Pacific coast of Russia, China, Japan, and Korea, but has been exported to Eastern Europe and Scandinavia as a fur animal. It's an omnivore but apparently can eat toxic toads by using an "excess of saliva". The Siberian canine faces more danger than flawed classification: many faux-fur garments are really made from raccoon dog…

タヌキ　/　Raccoon dog

Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) / Chien viverrin / Image by Kai Rösler from fotocommunity.de

Leucistic raccoon