Raccoon



The Tanooki are a race of rather plump raccoon-like creatures, found primarily on Isle Delfino. In Super Mario Bros. 3, one of the many power-ups Mario gains is the Tanooki Suit, and in Super Mario Sunshine the Blue Coin Shop is run by two Tanookis (one of which is the much smaller son of the other). Additionally, a Tanooki owns a small rowboat shack in Noki Bay. The boats can be rented for a very big amout of money. However, Mario is allowed to use them for free.

The Tanooki are actually based on a mythical Japanese animal known as the tanuki, which was plump, raccoon-like, and a shape-shifting trickster.

In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, there are Goomba enemies, known as Tanoombas. They look half Tanooki, half Goomba. In the sequel, Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, Tashroobas appeared, which were Shroobified versions of Tanoombas.

A Tanooki named Tom Nook appears in Animal Crossing a non-Mario game.

Tools
Tanooki Suit