The ringtail is a creature of North America’s arid landscapes, often remaining unseen due to its elusive nature and nocturnal habits. This mammal offers a unique blend of characteristics. While often mistaken for other animals, the ringtail possesses distinct features and behaviors that set it apart.
Identifying the Ringtail
The ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) is a slender mammal known for its striking physical attributes, particularly its tail. This appendage is notably long, often matching or exceeding its body length of 12 to 17 inches (30 to 42 cm), and features 14 to 16 prominent black and white bands. Its body is typically buff to dark brown with paler underparts, and its face has a pointed muzzle with long whiskers, resembling that of a fox. Large, dark eyes are characteristic, often surrounded by a mask-like pattern of dark hair or pale rings of fur. Large, rounded ears aid its nocturnal activities.
Despite its common names like “ring-tailed cat,” “miner’s cat,” or “civet cat,” the ringtail is not related to felines or civets. It belongs to the Procyonidae family, which includes raccoons and coatis, making it a distant relative of the raccoon. The appellation “miner’s cat” originated from its historical role; early settlers and miners kept ringtails to control rodent populations in their cabins and camps. Weighing between 1.5 to 3.3 pounds (0.7 to 1.5 kg), the ringtail is smaller than a house cat.
Ringtail Habitat and Range
Ringtails are widely distributed across arid and semi-arid regions of North America, primarily found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Their range extends from southern Oregon and California eastward through states like Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, and south into Mexico, reaching as far as Oaxaca. The ringtail holds the designation of state mammal for Arizona.
These mammals show a strong preference for rocky habitats, including canyons, talus slopes, and rock outcroppings. They also inhabit scrublands, chaparral, and various woodlands such as oak, pinyon pine, and juniper forests. Such environments offer shelter in the form of rock crevices, caves, hollow trees, and even abandoned mine shafts or buildings. Proximity to water sources, particularly riparian areas, is another important factor influencing their chosen dwelling places, as these locations provide both sustenance and hydration.
Behavior and Diet of Ringtails
Ringtails are primarily nocturnal, conducting most of their activities under the cover of darkness, though they may also be active at dusk. Their large eyes and upright ears are adaptations that enhance their ability to navigate and forage in low-light conditions. These animals lead largely solitary lives, interacting only during the breeding season. Male territories often overlap with those of several females, but territories of individuals of the same sex usually remain distinct.
Their agility and climbing prowess are notable, allowing them to traverse steep and complex terrains. A highly flexible ankle joint that can rotate over 180 degrees permits them to descend trees and cliffs headfirst, unlike many other mammals. Their long, banded tail serves as a counterbalance, enabling precise movements across narrow ledges and limbs. Ringtails communicate through a variety of vocalizations, including barks, clicks, chatters, chirps, and even screams when startled.
As omnivores, ringtails consume a broad array of foods, with their diet adapting to seasonal availability. Their diet includes small vertebrates such as rodents, rabbits, birds and their eggs, lizards, and snakes. Insects, including grasshoppers and crickets, form a significant portion of their intake, particularly in certain seasons. Plant matter, such as juniper berries, hackberries, persimmons, prickly pear fruit, and other wild fruits, also contribute to their diet. They can survive for extended periods on water obtained from their food, showcasing an adaptation to arid environments.