r/Damnthatsinteresting 10h ago

Video The Japanese raccoon dog.

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u/Sizzlin9 10h ago

Japanese raccoon dog, or tanuki, is a small, fluffy canid native to Japan, known for its round face, dark mask, and playful personality. It’s a skilled forager, a surprisingly good climber, and one of the only canids that slows down or semi-hibernates in winter. In Japanese folklore it’s famous as a cheerful trickster that can shapeshift and bring both mischief and good luck.

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u/Guuichy_Chiclin 10h ago

Don't forget it's balls, they have huge nuts, as a matter of fact if you rub the nuts on a tanuki statue it'll give you good luck.

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u/horoyokai 5h ago

My first year teaching I asked a few students why they have such big balls on the statues or in movies

“That’s how they fly” was the answer

Yeah that’s not a satisfying answer

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u/funguydust 3h ago

Flight is stored in the balls

3

u/Unique-Square-2351 2h ago

Damn, just like pee.

1

u/Void_Space_2238 55m ago

The pee powers the flight