How come the Portuguese word for "racoon" ("guaxinim") has a Tupi etymology if racoons are not native to Brazil?

Answer 1

In South America there is another species of raccoon, Procyon cancrivorus, and probably is why the name given to Procyon lotor (North America's raccoon) is the same. Interesting thing is that P. cancrivorus is more known as "mão pelada", then guaxinim, and being a native animal it has other names (besides the two I've mentioned), some also of indigenous origin.