The ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) is a slender, cat-sized member of the raccoon family native to the arid and rocky parts of western North America, from southern Oregon and California through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to southern Mexico. It has a pointed fox-like face with dark eye masks, large eyes and a long tail with 14 to 16 black and white rings, and it weighs only about 0.7 to 1.5 kilograms. Mostly nocturnal and solitary, it is an agile climber with a rotating ankle joint, and it eats small vertebrates, insects, berries and other fruit. It is rated Least Concern by the IUCN, is the state mammal of Arizona, and gets its nickname miner cat from the settlers who kept it to control vermin in their cabins.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) ThreatsBiological Resource Use 2 Relationship to People Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Wikipedia: Ring-tailed Cat
In Biome
In Ecosystem
Source Wikipedia: Ring-tailed Cat
Source Wikipedia: Ring-tailed Cat
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Wikipedia: Ring-tailed CatRange and habitat, Mexicotier 2Quote, Range and habitat, Mexico
In Mexico it ranges from the northern desert state of Baja California to Oaxaca.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Wikipedia: Ring-tailed CatRange and habitattier 2Quote, Range and habitat
The ringtail is found in the Southwestern United States in southern Oregon, California
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Ring-tailed Cat
WikipediaLead
Globally, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List
Diet
the ringtail is omnivorous, as are all procyonids
Lead, living range
is a mammal of the raccoon family native to arid regions of North America
Description
Ringtails are primarily nocturnal
Lead, relationship to people
It has been legally trapped for its fur.
Tameability
Miners and settlers once kept pet ringtails to keep their cabins free of vermin
Range and habitat
The ringtail is found in the Southwestern United States in southern Oregon, California
Range and habitat, Mexico
In Mexico it ranges from the northern desert state of Baja California to Oaxaca.
Ecology
Fur trapping has slowed down considerably, but current population sizes and growth rates remain unclear.
Range and habitat, system
The ringtail is commonly found in rocky desert habitats
In Group: Mustelids, Procyonids And Other Carnivorans, Lead, family
is a mammal of the raccoon family native to arid regions of North America
In Ecosystem: Sonoran Desert, Range and habitat, Sonoran
as well as the Sonoran Desert in Arizona
In Ecosystem: Chihuahuan Desert, Range and habitat, Chihuahuan
and the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico
View the Source 2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Bassariscus astutus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status, CITES
No special status
Lifespan/Longevity
A female kept in captivity reached the age of 16
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
many fall victim to traps set for other furbearing animals
View the Source 3. NatureServe Explorer: Bassariscus astutus
NatureServe ExplorerTaxon record, global rankQuote, Taxon record, global rank
G5
4. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Bassariscus astutus
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLife history traits, adult weightQuote, Life history traits, adult weight
Adult weight 1,015 g
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