Characteristics of fruits eaten by the raccoon dog—a review

Abstract

Fifteen studies on the food habits of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were reviewed in order to ascertain the types of fruits that are preferred by raccoon dogs. A total of 103 fruit species have been suggested, among which as many as 68 species, including 2 gymnospermous tree fruits (Ginkgo biloba and Torreya nucifera), were fleshy fruits. The fruit of Hovenia dulcis is morphologically a drupe, but the pedicle swells, and tastes and smells sweet, thus, functioning as a “fleshy fruit.” Three seeds such as Ophiopogon japonica look like fleshy fruits. The other 30 species were dry fruits. The fruits of 70 species (68.0%) were colorful and 57 species (55.3%) were small (<10 mm in diameter), suggesting that these typically bird-dispersed fruits are also preferred by the raccoon dog. Ten species of large and dull-colored fruits were noted, and Ginkgo biloba was consumed at high frequencies. As many as 21 cultivated plants were recovered from the raccoon dog foods, which seems to be characteristic to the raccoon dog. This review showed that the raccoon dog feeds on many small and colorful bird-dispersed fruits as well as large and dull-colored fruits such as G. biloba and Diospyros kaki.