The tanuki, raccoon dog, or Japanese raccoon ( Nyctereutes procyonoides ) is native to East Asia and represents an important cultural icon in Japan.
We tell you a lot of curiosities about this adorable creature:
1. They are not related to raccoons
Despite their appearance they are not related to raccoons. Rather, they belong to the Canidae family, the same as that of wolves and foxes. The tanuki is also a basal species, which means that it looks more like the ancestral form of the Canidae family. So when several Tanukis escaped into the English countryside, questions arose about where these creatures fit on the family tree.
2. Synthetic leather, could be tanuki
In 2008, the Humane Society of the United States filed a claim against at least 20 US retailers after discovering that 70% of the faux fur garments tested contained Japanese raccoon fur. And it is not the only case. There have been several incidents in which clothing retailers have advertised and sold clothing labeled as faux fur which is actually tanuki fur. Fortunately, this mammal is not in danger of extinction; its conservation status, according to the IUCN, is of least concern, but its existence could be threatened in the future due to illegal activities such as the fur trade.
3. They are very social animals
Companionship and family are very important to these creatures, which is why they generally live in monogamous pairs or in small, close-knit groups. Male tanukis, in particular, have an exceptional reputation for being both compassionate companions and good parents. They have been seen bringing food to their pregnant partners, and after their partner gives birth, they take an active and important role in raising the young.
4. They are the only canids that hibernate in winter
While wolves, foxes and other canids have no problem coping with the snowy and arid winter months, Tanukis prefer to hibernate. To do this, they accumulate fat, decrease their metabolism by 25% and settle inside their burrows until warmer weather arrives. What’s especially remarkable about their hibernation habits is that they don’t do it alone. Another testament to the importance of social relationships for these creatures: They are communal hibernators who prefer to snuggle up with their companions when they sleep.
5. Very present in Japanese folklore
The subspecies of the raccoon dog native to Japan is known as tanuki . Besides being a real animal, it is also found throughout Japanese folklore in the form of mystical, shape -shifting spirits called Bake-danuki .
Bake-danuki , which literally means “monster raccoon dog”, belongs to a class of Japanese spirit monsters called yōkai . While most yōkai have a tendency toward outright malevolence, the bake-danuki has lost this terrifying reputation in recent centuries in favor of a more harmless, jovial lifestyle focused on bestowing humans with good fortune and prosperity. Today this furry friend is depicted with a bulbous belly, massive scrotum, and funny facial expression. It is common to see him clutching a jar of sake and a promissory note for unpaid bills.
6. Why a big scrotum?
It has nothing to do with male virility or sexual indulgence. The origin of this feature dates back to the 19th century, when metal workers wrapped gold in tanuki skin before turning it into gold leaf. The strength of the tanuki’s skin was so great that, according to legend, a small piece of gold could be hammered so many times that it could be stretched out on eight tatami mats, no matter how thin the piece was. Because the Japanese terms for a small golden ball (“kin no tama”) and testicles (“kintama”) are very similar, the image of a tanuki with a gigantic testicular region is associated with good fortune and money. That is why Bake-danuki figures are common in any Japanese restaurant or bar.
