Raccoon dog

/ɹakˈuːn dˈɒɡ/

/ɹækˈuːn dˈɑːɡ/

Raccoon dog

a small, wild canine species native to East Asia, known for its distinctive appearance resembling a raccoon, with a stocky body, bushy tail, and masked facial markings

synonyms : Nyctereutes procyonides

What is a "raccoon dog"?

The raccoon dog, also known as the tanuki or mangut, is a small to medium-sized wild canine species found in East Asia. They have a unique appearance, resembling a raccoon with a stocky body, short legs, and a bushy tail. Their fur is dense and typically has a mix of colors, including gray, brown, and black. The raccoon dog's face is marked with distinctive black mask-like markings around their eyes. They are known for their adaptability and can thrive in a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and farmlands. Raccoon dogs are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on a wide range of food including small mammals, birds, fish, insects, fruits, and vegetables. They are also known for their hibernation-like torpor during the winter months.

Examples

1. "Tom Nook is a tanuki, or a raccoon dog, who are often "killed for their fur.

2. And for the record in this version of their game, the player controlled a skinned alive but living raccoon dog that chases Mario around to retrieve it's fur.

3. They also released another flash game called Mario Kills Tanooki, which is a parody of Super Mario Bros 3. PETA had decided to release a statement that the game was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, a fun way to call attention to a serious cause that raccoon dogs are skinned alive for their fur.

Nearby words

raccoon

rabbit hole

rabbit bandicoot

rabbit-eared bandicoot