Tanuki
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Tanuki is a small creature with long bodies and short legs and a raccoon-like masked face pattern. They possess short tails that range from 4.7-7 inches long, so short that it doesn’t even touch the ground. Their coloration and size depending on the season. They bulk up for the winter season, with fur that can keep the creature warm even in temperatures of -13℉.
Genetics and Reproduction
Tanuki are monogamous animals that form pairs usually within the autumn months with the mating season in the range from late winter to early spring. The gestation period lasts 60-70 days, with liters of usually 6-8 pups.
Growth Rate & Stages
A pup reaches full size in 4.5 months, maturing into a proper adult in 8-10 months. The pups of a litter leave their parents in the early autumn months.
Ecology and Habitats
Tanuki can be found in deciduous, mixed, and evergreen forests in areas with close proximity to water and plentiful food sources. They have been known to move into farmlands and other human habitations should they provide more opportunities to the creatures.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Tanuki are omnivores that feed on insects, rodents, amphibians, birds, fish, reptiles, mollusks, carrion, and insectivores, as well as fruits, nuts, and berries.
Biological Cycle
Tanuki are known hibernate in the winter months
Additional Information
Social Structure
Tanuki are mainly nocturnal, but have been known to be active during the daylight hours. They are monogamous creatures that usually travel together as a breeding pair, but individuals that are non-paired may group together until they find a mate. They vocalize by growling or with groans in a similar pitch to domesticated cats-- they even arch their backs when trying to intimidate another animal just like a cat.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Tanuki are hunted to make use of their pelts for things such as bellows, drums, winter gear and scrotums are used to fashion coin purses.
Facial characteristics
Black fur forms a mask around their face.
Lifespan
7-8 Years
Average Length
1'6"-2'4"
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
In the winter their fur is of earth-broth or brownish-grey coloring. In the summer their fur gets brighter in a reddish straw color, though there are rarer colors of white or yellow found on the Dawn Islands archipelago.
Geographic Distribution
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