Species Name: Bassariscus astutus
Taxonomy: Class: Mammalia, Order: Carnivora, Family: Procyonidae
Physical Description: Similar in color and pattern to a ringtail lemur however walk on all fours. They have a black and white ring-like striped tail where the name ringtail is derived from. They are otherwise grayish in color. Resembling a fox in build with a long bushy tail that is flattened. The tail is nearly as long as the rest of its body. Large eyes surrounded with white fur, large rounded ears, and short legs.
Geographical Range: As far north as southwestern Oregon, to as far south as Northern Mexico and Baja California. As far east as Oklahoma and Kansas, but most of its range is in the southwest of the U.S.
Habitat: Prefer rocky habitats associated with water. Including riparian canyons, caves, and mineshafts
Diet: Omnivorous, eating just about anything including fruit, insects, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians, birds and bird eggs
Behavior and Reproduction: Almost completely nocturnal, feeding and moving at night. During the day they often are in dens. Breeding in mid spring (February to May), having on average 2-4 offspring per individual. Typically, a solitary animal come together to breed; mothers take care of young as they are dependent on her for 8-10 weeks after birth. Males are typically not involved in parental care.
Lifespan: The average lifespan of ringtails is 6-9 years, and can live longer in captivity
Conservation Threats: Human altercations and predation (but not really threatened as a species)
Species of Greatest Conservation Need status in Arizona: Not currently listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Arizona
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species status: Least Concern
Backyard Conservation: Preserve and create riparian environments in canyons and urban environments to create ringtail habitat. Avoid negative altercations
Fun Facts: In 1986 this species became the state mammal of Arizona. Another common name locals call these animals is the Ringtail-cat or the Miners cat. However, this species is more closely related to Coati’s and Raccoons.
References:
Arizona Game and Fish Department (Accessed 18 February 2025). Arizona Wildlife Conservation strategy. Retrieved from azgfd.com.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Accessed 18 February 2025). Animal Fact Sheet: Ringtail. Retrieved from desertmuseum.org.
Mammal Diversity Database (Accessed 18 February 2025). Bassariscus astutus: Ringtail. Retrieved from mammaldiversity.org.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (Accessed 18 February 2025). North American Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) Fact Sheet: Reproduction and Development. Retrieved from libguides.com.
Texas Parks and Wildlife (Accessed 18 February 2025). Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus). Retrieved from texas.gov.
Map: coming soon!