A slender nocturnal mammal related to raccoons — large eyes, big ears, and a spectacular fluffy black-and-white ringed tail nearly as long as its body. Often called "miner's cats" for their habit of denning in mining camps.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The ringtail is a mammal of the raccoon family native to arid regions of North America. It is widely distributed and well-adapted to its distributed areas. It has been legally trapped for its fur. Globally, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List but is a Conservation Strategy Species in Oregon and Fully Protected in California The ringtail is the state mammal of Arizona.
Source: Wikipedia — Ringtail Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Slender body with long banded tail. Brown with white markings.
Similar species. Raccoon (much larger, mask). Coati (longer snout, social).
Voice. Various chirps and snorts.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Omnivorous: insects, fruits, small mammals.
Behavior. Slender nocturnal mammal with extraordinarily long fluffy tail. Climbs vertically with claws.
§ Range
Desert southwest US into northern Mexico
§ Habitat
Rocky deserts, canyons, oak-juniper woodlands
§ Threats
Habitat loss, vehicle strikes on rural roads, rodenticide poisoning.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the ringtail is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support desert and canyon protection. Drive slowly on rural roads. Skip rodenticides.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Ringtail
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Bassariscus astutus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 2998
- iNaturalist · taxon 41660
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Bassariscus astutus
§ Sources cited
- NWF Wildlife Guide
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2016
