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Raccoon Dogs stand about 9" at the shoulder, body length is 20-23" and the tail
is about 7" long (the sizes being between a Yorkshire Terrier and a small Cocker
Spaniel).
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Raccoon Dogs are mainly nocturnal and forage in "pairs" with their mate, leaving
their dens one to two hours after sunset.
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Indigenous to Asia, including eastern Siberia and Japan, these small fox-sized
furry animals seem to enjoy having a mate or friend close by until they reach
mating age. They always live in pairs or small family groups.
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Adult Raccoon Dogs are strictly monogamous, forming a permanent pair throughout
their lifetime. Only if one of the pair dies will the remaining member
form a new bond with a new mate.
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Raccoon Dogs have been observed hibernating in pairs, maintaining bodily contact
with one another while sleeping and resting, and engaging in social grooming --
another
rarity among canines.
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Male Raccoon Dogs are also helpful fathers, bringing food to their pregnant mate
as well as helping to raise the young. Females will forge during the day,
leaving the dad to baby-sit the pups in the den.
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In spring and summer, the Raccoon Dog is usually thin, but during autumn and
winter, it adds on weight (in preparation for winter dormancy), giving the
expression of a round animal with short and thin legs. Source:
IUCN Canid Specialist Group
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Raccoon Dogs are unique in the Canids as they are the only one which will spend
the winter asleep (especially when winters are harsh), entering hibernation in
November and becoming active again in March. They rarely if ever,
hibernate in captivity.
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Raccoon Dogs can also climb trees.
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Its face sports a black mask, small rounded ears and a pointed muzzle,
resembling a raccoon, hence its name, but it is not related to the raccoon at
all.
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There are 6 recognized subspecies of the Raccoon Dog (Ellerman and
Morrison-Scott, 1951; Ward and Wuster-Hill 1990).
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Raccoon Dogs do not bark, but will growl when menaced. Their vocalizations
are higher in tone than those of a domestic dog, and more or less resemble the
sounds of a mewing domestic cat.
Raccoon Dogs are relatively quiet
overall - however they do have a broad vocal repertoire. Vocalizations usually
only expressed, during periods of play, just prior to feeding or with the
initial excitement of having young puppies in the vicinity.
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Raccoon Dogs are not aggressive - instead when threatened they flee, or if not
able to, curl up into themselves (like a ball or as nearly as can be) for self
protection.
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Raccoon Dogs are not territorial either - pairs exist in overlapping areas and
ranges - although they do have a 'fixed latrine' spot somewhere in their ranging
area.
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Raccoon Dogs are usually found near water, and they are more or less dependent
upon fruits and berries. Raccoon dogs are true omnivores - in most areas,
small rodents form the bulk of their diet in all seasons; frogs, lizards,
invertebrates, insects, birds and eggs are consumed according to availability.
Plants are frequently eaten - berries and fruits are their food of choice in
late summer and autumn. Oats, maize, watermelon, tangerines and pears are also
consumed when available.
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Mating usually occurs in March; females can reproduce each year; sexual maturity
is achieved at 9-11 months; position is the same as canines.
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Gestation is nine weeks and both parents settle into a den about a week before
the pups are born. Litters are between 4 and 9, depending upon the
geographical location. Pups weigh between 3.5 oz and 4.2 oz at birth (pup
weight and size of litter depends upon the availability and quantity of berries
the mom was able to consume the previous summer). Their eyes stay closed
from seven to ten days. Pups start emerging from the den at three to four
weeks and are weaned at four to five weeks. Although independent at four
months, they frequently stay with the parents for months afterwards.
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In Japan, legal culling has increased since the 1970s with 4,529 annual kills on
the average each year between 1990 and 1998. Between 18,000 and 76,000
were harvested each year in Japan after World War II. Poaching is
routinely overlooked in Japan.
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Raccoon Dogs life span is between seven to eight years, with a record in
captivity of 13 years. Only about 1% of Raccoon Dogs live to five years,
and 88% of the young (in Finland) die before their first year.
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Handled at birth, Raccoon Dog pups remain friendly - if inquisitive - throughout
their lives.
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Zoos keep Raccoon Dogs as educational exhibits to present a species with a high
invasive potential, or to show the only representative of the dog family going
into torpor during winter. However, the only zoo in North America to have
Raccoon Dogs is Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.
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In Japan the raccoon dog has been hunted to near extinction for their meat and
fur, and their bones which are used in traditional medicine. The raccoon dog was
introduced throughout much of its current range specifically for hunting
purposes and for its fur.
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Japanese people and raccoon dogs have coexisted peacefully since ancient times.
This harmonious relationship is depicted in many folk tales, legends, sayings
and songs. Many quotations and episodes based on these stories from folk culture
illustrate that the destiny of the raccoon dogs is the same as the destiny of
humans.
