Ringtail
Bassariscus astutus
Description: The ringtail has a cat-like body, and a fox-like face. They are gray on their backs, and whitish on their bellies. They have very long, bushy tails with 14-16 alternating black and white bands. They have relatively large ears and eyes. They have 5 toes on each foot, with claws equipped for climbing. They are from 24-32 inches long, and weigh from 1-7/8 to 2-1/2 lbs.
General Information: The ringtail is a nocturnal animal, sleeping by day in a narrow den, and coming out at night to forage. It can leap like a squirrel, and it uses its large claws for climbing. It ambushes its prey, and uses its sharp teeth to deliver a quick, fatal blow to the neck. Ringtails hunt independently when they are four months in age, and disperse in the late fall. They are better mousers than house cats. Their main predators are great horned owls, and bobcats.
Habitat: Usually found in rocky areas such as groups of boulders, canyons, rock piles, and less commonly in areas with hollow trees.
Range: Southwestern Oregon, California, S. Nevada, S. Utah, W. Colorado, S. Kansas south through Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Reproduction: Ringtails mate in early April. 1 litter of 2-4 young are born in late May to early June, sometimes in a nest.
Life Span: 14 to 16 years in the wild and captivity.
Diet:
In the Wild: Grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, centipedes, scorpions, snakes, lizards, toads, frogs, small birds, rats, mice, squirrels, rabbits, and fruit.
At the Zoo: Chicken neck, cat food, banana, apple, orange, carrot, sweet potato, beet, lettuce, raisins, bone meal, vionate (a supplementary vitamin sprinkled on diet).
Interesting Facts: Our ringtail is somewhat shy. You have to be very quiet and move slowly when you walk past the exhibit to view her.