Tanuki (Tah-nou-kee)
The Tanuki (or Bake-danuki) are known well in the forested and mountainous areas of the Yaojing region. They have a reputation for coming and going with a carefree outlook on life, using mystic arts known to their kind to fool others with their illusions and transformations.
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Raccoon Dog Tail: Tanuki can use their large fluffy tails to attack targets via spinning, slow their descent from a height or even fly for a short period of time after running for a certain distance.
Hibernation: Raccoon dogs are the only canines that hibernate during the winter. To do this, they pack on fat, decrease their metabolism by 25 percent and settle inside their burrows until warmer weather arrives. Tanuki are communal hibernators who prefer to cuddle up to their partners when they slumber.
Dexterous hands: Even as tanuki, their paws have the dexterity to hold certain objects. This extends to their humanoid forms having surprising finesse with their own hands.
Large Scrotum: The natural tanuki has disproportionately large testicles, so male bakedanuki like to exaggerate the size of them with shapeshifting for humorous reasons and pranks, and only occasionally carrying things.
Ecology and Habitats
Forests and Woodlands
Dietary Needs and Habits
Like their natural counterparts, tanuki are omnivorous and as they spend a great deal of time close to water, their diet is primarily made up from frogs and fish along with rodents, small birds, eggs and invertebrates such as insects and spiders. As far plants, they eat bulbs, rhizomes, oats, millets, maize, nuts, berries, grapes, melons, watermelons, pumpkins and tomatoes.
Tanuki are famous for having an appetite for alcoholic drinks and have developed many family recipes.
Biological Cycle
Tanuki like their natural counterparts hibernate during the winter, though typically only if they live in an area with cold winters and snowstorms. Tanuki are communal hibernators who prefer to cuddle up to their partners when they slumber.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Bake danuki are found mainly within the natural extent of their predecessor species but the densest popupaltions are focused on the mountainous regions of
Average Intelligence
Sapient
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Low Light Vision: Behind the light sensitive cells lies another layer called the tapetum lucidum which reflects light back through the eye. Their eyes glow green when light is shone into them at night.
Keen Smell: Tanuki have a great sense of smell, which is better than many species but pales compared to other canids.
Civilization and Culture
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Tanuki can, and have been found to, like Juweihu, sometimes live large portions of their lives as humanoids, taking on jobs and businesses, and acting indistinguishable from a mundane one. Other Tanuki are known to be quite warlike, working as soldiers, thieves and mercenaries as suits them. Tanuki are often mischievous and jolly, but also somewhat gullible and absentminded. Notoriously found of alcohol and parties, they can become at times violent or unpleasant if drunk or deprived of their favorite drinks.
Overall the Tanuki are a relaxed and happy people. They love to revel and drink, especially whilst camping or outdoors. They also tend to be quite lazy, finding places where they can nap undisturbed.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Bake danuki enjoy playing tricks and fooling other races. These tricks are not malicious, just ways to make others look foolish. They see it as all in good fun, but others may not see it this way.
They also have a well known cultural rivalry with Juweihu, well Kitsune to be specific. In fact this is known in Wakoku as Kori no Tatakai, the battles between Bake danuki and Kitsune throughout its history. They ranged from large territorial battles to minor skirmishes and competitions. Over time the intensity has waned and it is much less prominent in areas outside of the nation where they met.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Nyctereutes procyonoides obake
Lifespan
500 years
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Average Height
canid- 45 to 71 cm (18 to 28 in) ;humanoid-155.8 cm (5 ft 1 1⁄2 in)
Average Weight
canid- 6.5–7 kg (14–15 lbs humanoid-56.5 kg (124.6 lb)
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
The winter fur of their tanuki form is long and thick with dense underfur and coarse guard hairs. It is of an earth-brown or brownish-grey color with black guard hairs. The tail is darker than the torso. A dark stripe is present on the back which broadens on the shoulders, forming a cross shape. The summer fur is brighter and reddish-straw colored.
Geographic Distribution
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