Raccoon DogNyctereutes procyonoides
AppearanceRaccoon dogs are characterized generally by yellow-brown fur and black masking around the eyes, reminiscent of a raccoon. Fur along the shoulders, back, and tail is tipped with black. The snout of Nyctereutes is shortened in relation to other canids, and this leads to identification and systematic problems. They were closely allied with Procyonidae (raccoons) in the past, but morphological features of the skull suggest that Nyctereutes does in fact belong in Canidae.
DietLike many other canids, it is omnivorous. However, its diet is atypically diverse, consisting of invertebrates, frogs, lizards, rodents and birds along with seeds and berries. Those living near the ocean will also eat crabs and scavenged marine life.
BehaviorThe Raccoon Dog is secretive and not very aggressive; it prefers to hide or scream rather than fight, and plays dead to avoid animals that will eat them. It is monogamous; some fights occur between males for the females. Mating season begins when the Raccoon Dog emerges from its winter den. The female is in heat for about six days. When the cubs are born after a gestation of about 60 days, the male will assist in cub-rearing, first by providing food to his mate and then also caring for the cubs when they are weaned, about 50 days after birth, while the mother gathers food. Raccoon Dog pups continue to nurse even after they begin eating solid food. They aren't weaned until eight weeks of age, later than any other canid. They become physically and sexually mature after one year. The Raccoon Dog is the only canid to go into torpor through the cold months. It is also unusual in that its curved claws enable it to climb trees; the only other canid with this ability is the Gray Fox. It does not bark and it turns its tail into an inverted U to express dominance. The Raccoon Dog's teeth are small for a canid.
Name: Anette
Name: Caitlin O’Brien 