# Cacomistle (*Bassariscus sumichrasti*) Cacomistles are cute, small mammals that look like a mix between a cat and a raccoon. They are known for their long tails and playful nature, often found climbing trees and exploring their surroundings. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Cacomistle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bassariscus_sumichrasti_geo.jpg&width=800) Photo: Autosafari at English Wikipedia, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bassariscus_sumichrasti_geo.jpg) ## Appearance The Cacomistle is a sleek, medium-sized mammal resembling a slender cat with a long, bushy tail. Its fur is typically grayish-brown to reddish-brown on top, with a creamier underside. The most distinctive feature is its striking black and white ringed tail, longer than its body, and large, dark eyes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Procyonidae - **Genus:** Bassariscus ## Interesting facts - Mother cacomistles move their babies to new dens if they sense danger! - Sometimes called a 'ringtail,' but it lives far from its North American cousin! - Their super-long, striped tail can be longer than their entire body! - They can rotate their hind feet 180 degrees to climb down trees headfirst! ## Special abilities - **Acrobatic Agility:** Cacomistles have incredibly flexible ankles, allowing them to turn their hind feet backwards to descend trees headfirst with ease. - **Tail Navigator:** Cacomistles use their long, prehensile tail for balance, acting like a counterweight to navigate complex branches and dense foliage. - **Night Vision Pro:** Cacomistles possess large eyes with a reflective layer, enhancing their ability to see clearly and hunt efficiently in dim light. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 77-100 cm - **Weight:** 0.8-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 20 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-5 - **Gestation:** 60-64 days ## Diet & Feeding These adaptable omnivores enjoy a varied menu of fruits, insects, and tiny forest creatures. - **Primary Foods:** figs, insects, berries, small rodents, birds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — A nocturnal hunter, it preys on cacomistles in their forest homes. - **Eaten by:** [Ocelot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ocelot) (*Leopardus pardalis*) — An agile feline predator, it hunts cacomistles in shared habitats. - **Eaten by:** Boa Constrictor (*Boa constrictor*) — Ambushes and constricts arboreal cacomistles from branches. - **Hunts:** Mexican Deer Mouse (*Peromyscus mexicanus*) — Cacomistles actively hunt these small rodents among forest undergrowth. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Cacomistles are wild animals, so it's best to watch them from a distance and not try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cacomistle? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Cacomistle? 77-100 cm ### How much does Cacomistle weigh? 0.8-1.5 kg ### How long does Cacomistle live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Cacomistle move? 20 km/h ### What does Cacomistle eat? These adaptable omnivores enjoy a varied menu of fruits, insects, and tiny forest creatures. ### Where is Cacomistle usually found? Forests ### How does Cacomistle hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Cacomistle: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cacomistle)