Ringtail cats are unique and often misunderstood nocturnal creatures. Despite their common name, they are not felines but rather a member of the raccoon family. These elusive animals spark curiosity about their nature and potential interactions with humans and pets.
What is a Ringtail?
The ringtail ( _Bassariscus astutus_ ) is a slender mammal, typically weighing between 1.5 and 3.3 pounds, making it smaller than an average housecat. Its body measures approximately 12 to 17 inches long, complemented by a distinctive bushy tail of similar length, featuring alternating black and white rings. Their large black eyes are often surrounded by patches of light fur, and their overall coloration ranges from buff to dark brown with white underparts.
Ringtails are found across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. They thrive in arid regions, preferring rocky habitats like canyons and rock piles, but also inhabit woodlands, chaparral, and riparian areas. These animals are almost entirely nocturnal, spending daylight hours resting in dens found in rock crevices, hollow trees, or abandoned burrows. They are omnivores, with their diet consisting primarily of small mammals like rodents and rabbits, insects, reptiles, and fruits.
Assessing Their Threat Level
Ringtails are shy, reclusive animals that avoid human interaction. They are not considered dangerous to humans and pose a minimal threat. If encountered, their typical reaction is to flee or avoid confrontation.
Bites or scratches from a ringtail are rare and occur only if threatened, cornered, or provoked. Like any wild animal, they possess sharp teeth and claws, which they will use in self-defense. Like most mammals, ringtails can carry rabies, but they are not more susceptible than other wildlife. Direct transmission to humans is unlikely due to their reclusive nature. However, avoid contact with any wild animal exhibiting unusual behavior.
Ringtails do not pose a significant threat to common household pets like cats or dogs. They are opportunistic feeders, preying on small creatures like rodents, insects, or occasionally chickens. They are unlikely to target larger domesticated animals unless provoked or extremely hungry. Pet owners in ringtail areas should ensure pets’ vaccinations are current to protect against disease transmission in the rare event of a bite.
Living Alongside Ringtails
Coexisting peacefully with ringtails requires understanding their behavior and taking preventative measures. If encountered, observe them from a distance; avoid approaching or handling. These wild animals should never be treated as pets.
To prevent unwanted encounters, secure trash cans with tight-fitting lids and avoid leaving pet food outdoors overnight. This prevents attracting ringtails seeking easy food sources. Seal entry points to attics, sheds, or other structures to prevent denning inside your home. For small livestock like chickens, secure coops and enclosures to protect them from predation. Ringtails play a beneficial role in the ecosystem by controlling rodent populations.