Ringtail
ExploreMammals
Ringtail
Bassariscus astutus
Ringtails are playful animals with long, striped tails. They love to climb and are often found in rocky areas or forests. Their big eyes help them see well at night!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Ringtail is a slender mammal with large, dark eyes and a pointed snout framed by white markings, giving it a masked appearance. Its most distinctive feature is a long, bushy tail, often longer than its body, banded with alternating black and white rings. Its fur is typically yellowish-gray to dark brown.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyProcyonidaeGenusBassariscus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A group of Ringtails is called a 'troop' or 'pack'.
Despite their name, Ringtails are not cats; they are related to raccoons.
Ringtails are known to squeeze through openings as small as one inch wide!
They often create dens in rocky crevices or hollow logs for shelter.
Special abilities
Ability
Super Climber
Ringtails can rotate their hind ankles nearly 180 degrees, which helps them climb down headfirst from trees and cliffs.
Ability
Night Vision Master
Ringtails have large eyes that collect more light, helping them see clearly and hunt in the dark.
Ability
Balance Beam King
Ringtails have a long, ringed tail that acts like a counterbalance, helping them balance on narrow ledges.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 60-84 cm
- Weight
- 0.7-1.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 6-10 years
- Top Speed
- 24 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-4
- Gestation
- 50-60 days
Diet & Feeding
A clever omnivore, it eats many things from mice and insects to berries and fruits.
Primary Foods
- Peromyscus maniculatus
- Neotoma albigula
- Juniperus communis
- Insects
- Birds
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
Ringtail Cat
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
If you see a wild ringtail, enjoy watching it from a distance and don't try to touch it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Ringtail?
60-84 cm
How much does Ringtail weigh?
0.7-1.5 kg
How long does Ringtail live?
6-10 years
How fast can Ringtail move?
24 km/h
What does Ringtail eat?
A clever omnivore, it eats many things from mice and insects to berries and fruits.
Where is Ringtail usually found?
Forests
How does Ringtail hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Ringtail usually have?
1-4
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