Species: Raccoon dog
Despite its name, the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is not related to the raccoon but is a member of the canidae. Originating in Asia, raccoon dogs were introduced to some parts of Russia for fur production and wild populations have become established there and in some other European countries. These fox-sized carnivores are recognizable by the long grey fur and distinctive black and white facial markings. They tend to live in old fox dens or badger sets typically underneath tree roots and feed on a varied diet of rodents, frogs, nuts and roots.
The arrival of wild populations of raccoon dogs in several European countries, including Germany, and parts of the Netherlands and Belgium is of interest due to the possibility of them carrying zoonotic diseases such as rabies and Echinococcosis.
Disease general
No diseases found.
Research results
No researchresults found.
General news
- Investigating causes of disease in raccoons and raccoon dogs (07/09/2017)
- Provisional results from continuing investigations into agents of disease in raccoon dogs and raccoons (22/03/2017)
- Research into the public health risk posed by raccoon dogs and raccoons to continue in 2016 (03/03/2016)
- Zoonotic parasites found in raccoon dogs in the Netherlands – results from RIVM study (16/11/2015)
- Do raccoon dogs pose a risk to public health? Help us by reporting finding a dead raccoon dog (22/10/2014)
Publications
- First findings of Trichinella spiralis and DNA of Echinococcus multilocularis in wild raccoon dogs in the Netherlands. Miriam Maas, Sanne van den End, Annika van Roon, Jaap Mulder, Frits Franssen, Cecile Dam-Deisz, Margriet Montizaan, Joke van der Giessen (2016). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2016.09.001
