Raccoon Dog

The raccoon dog, also known as the mangut or tanuki, is a canid indigenous to East Asia. It is the only extant species in the genus Nyctereutes. It is considered a basal canid species, resembling ancestral forms of the family.

During winter, raccoon dogs naturally enter a state called torpor being the only species of canine to do this. Unlike hibernation where animals sleep and rely on stored body fat to survive the winter, during torpor raccoon dogs will wake and become active on warmer days to feed, drink and go to the bathroom.

Raccoon dogs are considered an invasive species in the UK and Europe due to their introduction in the fur industry. Animals were released from fur farms and due to their adaptive nature and predatory instincts they have begun to impact native eco systems. They are now a member of the EU invasive species list as of 2019.