Racoon Dogs

Why in news?

• A report has suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 virus could have originated in raccoon dogs which were sold illegally at the Wuhan (China) wet market.

About Racoon 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.
• They are omnivores and relish food sources such as rodents and berries
• Raccoon dogs are originally from East Asia and are commonly found in parts of China, Korea and Japan, where they are known as tanuki.

Add ons:

• They are also found in Europe, where they were first brought in by fur traders in the 1920s.
• Today, raccoon dogs are considered to be a threat to the local ecosystem in Europe and an EU report declared them “one of the most successful alien carnivores in Europe”.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

With reference to ‘Racoon Dogs’, consider the following statements:

1. They hibernate during the winter

2. They endemic to Himalayan foothills

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer