Nyctereutes

They are typically recognized by their short snouts, round crania and the shaping of their molars, specifically the ratio between M1 and M2. Nyctereutes is considered mainly an opportunistic carnivore, feeding on small mammals, fish, birds, and insects, alongside occasional plants, specifically roots. Their diet is mostly influenced by environmental factors. Japanese raccoon dogs are considered distinct from the mainland species because of the larger skull size found in Russian and Hokkaido raccoon dogs and molecular divergence. ==Species==

Extant species }} Fossil species • †Nyctereutes abdeslami 3.6—1.8 Mya (Morocco) • †Nyctereutes donnezani 9.0—3.4 Mya (Eastern Europe, Spain) • †Nyctereutes lockwoodi 3.42—3.2 Mya (Ethiopia) • †Nyctereutes megamastoides (Europe) • †Nyctereutes tingi • †Nyctereutes vinetorum ==References==