Are Japanese raccoon dog endangered?

The IUCN places the raccoon dog at “least concern” status due to the animal’s wide distribution in Japan and abundant population, including as an introduced species throughout northeastern Europe. In many European countries, it is legal to hunt raccoon dogs, as they are considered a harmful and invasive species.

Is it legal to own a tanuki?

Tanuki are now illegal to own as pets in every U.S. state (If you know the right city councilman, you may be able to swing one in Oregon, which allows an exotic pet permit if the animal “helps its owner with some disability”). The best way to see a tanuki stateside is to visit Loki and Thor at the Atlanta Zoo.

Can you have a tanuki as a pet in Japan?

A raccoon dog (also known as a ‘tanuki’ or a Japanese raccoon dog) is not suited to life as a pet in a domestic environment and we strongly discourage people from buying or keeping one as a pet – they’re much more difficult to look after properly than some people may realise!

Can tanuki breed with dogs?

No, raccoons and dogs did not mate in order to create the Tanuki. The raccoon dogs is actually part of the Canidae family, which is the same family as foxes and wolves, so they’re much closer to dogs than they are to raccoons.