RACCOON DOGS

20th March, 2023 Environment

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Context: A new analysis of genetic data collected from the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan, China has linked the coronavirus to raccoon dogs, raising the possibility that the pandemic originated from infected animals sold there.

Details:

About raccoon dogs:

Raccoon dogs are neither dogs nor raccoons.
They belong to the canid family and are closely related to foxes. They are the only canids that hibernate during the winter.
There are two species of raccoon dogs:

Nyctereutes procyonoides: the common raccoon dog
Nyctereutes p. viverrinus: the Japanese raccoon dog.

They are omnivores
They are monogamous
They often live in pairs

Food: They like food sources like rodents and fruits.

Distribution:

Raccoon dogs are originally from East Asia.
They are common in China, Korea and Japan.
They are known as tanuki.
They were first brought in by fur traders in Europe during the 1920s.

Effect on the local ecosystem:

Considered a threat to native ecosystems in Europe.
Tanuki is respected in Japan. In folklore, tanuki is a fun-loving trickster that can change shapes and is often associated with good financial luck.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Which of the following statements is/are correct with reference to Raccoon Dogs?

a. They are the only canids that hibernate during the winter.

b. They are endemic to the Indian subcontinent.