RACCOON DOG (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

The raccoon dog is also a newcomer to our country. The first "wanderers" from the other side of the eastern border were discovered in the late 1940s. It is omnivorous. It eats both vegetables and meat. It also likes to visit rubbish heaps and dumping areas. The raccoon dogs spend their winter hibernating. In the summer they build up a reserve of nutrition underneath their skins.

The puppies are born in April–May and there can be as many as 10 in a litter. Due to this, it is no wonder that this species has become quite common so quickly. In the zoo they dig into natural holes underneath stones to sleep through the winter. They do not sleep very soundly, however, because there are tracks on the ground inside the fence. In the spring, the puppies are born; usually in the den with a window built especially for them. Consequently the puppies can be admired right away by our visitors. There may be two mothers with their puppies in one den.