Racoon dog
The racoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is a short-legged canine most closely related to foxes. It has long fur and black patches around the eyes. The body shape is a bit like that of a badger, while the drawings on the face give the resemblance to a racoon. The racoon dog is a predator but is essentially an omnivore that eats more or less everything. It differs from other canines in that it hibernates, just as the badgers do.
The racoon dog is naturally distributed in Eastern Asia, from northern Korea and Vietnam to the southeastern part of Siberia, as well as in Japan. In the former Soviet Union, racoon dogs were released as huntable fur game west of the Ural Mountains. From there it has spread to Finland and Central Europe. Racoon dogs are undesired as a species in both Sweden and Norway. In Sweden, attempts are being made to prevent the species from spreading around the Gulf of Bothnia. Measures are also being taken in Norway to prevent the species from establishing itself in the fauna.
