Mainland Raccoon Dog
Nyctereutes procyonoides
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassMammalia (Mamífers)
- OrderCarnivora (Carnívors)
- FamilyCanidae (Canids)
- GenusNyctereutes (Raccoon Dogs)
- SpeciesNyctereutes procyonoides (Mainland Raccoon Dog)
The common raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), also called the Chinese or Asian raccoon dog to distinguish it from the Japanese raccoon dog, is a heavy-set, fox-like canid native to East Asia. Named for its raccoon-like face markings, it is most closely related to foxes. Common raccoon dogs feed on many animals and plant matter, and are unusual among canids (dogs, foxes, and other members of the family Canidae) in that they hibernate during cold winters and can climb trees. They are widespread in their native range, and are invasive in Europe where they were introduced for the fur trade. The similar Japanese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes viverrinus, the tanuki), native to Japan, is the only other living member of the genus Nyctereutes. The closest relatives of the common raccoon dogs are the true foxes, not the raccoon, which is one of the musteloids, and not closely related. Wikipedia →
<5% of wildlife watchers report a Mainland Raccoon Dog sighting in Wadden Sea National Park, based on 10 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Wadden Sea National Park
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
Gray Seal
Halichoerus grypus
Stone Marten
Martes foina
European Badger
Meles meles
Stoat
Mustela erminea
Eurasian Otter
Lutra lutra
European Polecat
Mustela putorius
Pine Marten
Martes martes
Least Weasel
Mustela nivalis
Walrus
Odobenus rosmarus
📅 Monthly Probability
🌅 When They're Spotted
Most active at dawn and dusk · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Białowieża National Park | 🇵🇱 Poland | |
| 2 | Wadden Sea National Park | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 3 | Gauja National Park | 🇱🇻 Latvia | |
| 4 | Biebrza National Park | 🇵🇱 Poland |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Mainland Raccoon Dog in Wadden Sea National Park?
About 2% of wildlife watchers report a Mainland Raccoon Dog sighting in Wadden Sea National Park, based on 10 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Mainland Raccoon Dog in Wadden Sea National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Mainland Raccoon Dog in Wadden Sea National Park in our monthly data.