Japanese raccoon dog

The Japanese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes Procyonoides Viverrinus), also known as the Tanuki in Japan, is a subspecies of raccoon dog native to Japan and possibly Sakhalin. The main predators of the raccoon dog are wolves, eagles, tigers, and bears. Tigers and wolves are no longer found in Japan but eagles and bears still do. The species of bear in Japan are the brown and Asian black bears, they are all very rare in Japan. Raccoon dogs are not related to raccoons at all because true raccoons are actually related to bears. They were both introduced to Europe and the Caucasus. True raccoons were also introduced to Japan in 2000. Tanuki is often mistakenly translated into English as badger or raccoon. Japanese people celebrate their canine uniqueness, but in Europe, they are a constant threat to crops and livestock. The other subspecies of raccoon dog are the Korean, Chinese, Ussuri, and Common. The Ussuri raccoon dog was the subspecies that was introduced to Europe. Their populations have spread out and can now be found in the countries and forests like Germany, Sweden, and France. Hunters introduced these unique and cute canines to Europe so that the colder climate will result for and a stronger, more attractive fur. Researchers have suggested that they be considered a separate species, Nyctereutes Viverrinus, or that raccoon dogs of Japan could be further divisible into separate subspecies as N. P. Procyonoides (Hondo-Tanuki) and N. P. Albus (Ezo-Tanuki), but both views are controversial. This is a Hondo Tanuki.