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ringtail cat

The Adorable Ringtail Cat

  • 23 August, 2019
  • Critter Man
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  • 249 Views
  • 1 Likes
Daily Critter Facts

The ringtail cat looks a little like a cat and a fox merged together. However, they aren’t cats and they aren’t foxes. They are more closely related to raccoons. As they are Arizona’s state animal, they are a protected species. So, no touchy! These cute little critters can be found in a surprisingly large range, from Oregon, down south through California, southern Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Baja California, and northern Mexico. They have several nicknames including civet cat, miner’s cat, and cacomistle (an Aztec Nahuatl word that translates to half mountain lion). They like to hang out in trees and shrubs near riparian areas.

First the Stats…

Scientific name: Bassariscus astutus
Weight: Up to 2.2 lbs.
Length: 2+ feet, including the tail
Lifespan: Up to 9 years

Now on to the Facts!

1.) The ringtail cat is nocturnal (active at night) and solitary.

2.) Ringtails are superb climbers able to ascend vertical trees, walls, rocky cliffs, and even tall cacti. They are able to rotate their hind feet 180°, giving them an excellent grip for descending as well.

3.) They are capable of many sounds, like squeaks, chitters, metallic chirps, hisses, whimpers, chucking, grunts, growls, and ululations (long, wavering, high-pitched vocal sound resembling a howl).

4.) These critters are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

5.) Their diet includes insects, snakes, lizards, small mammals (like mice), woodrats, squirrels, as well as birds, bird eggs, and fruit.

But wait, there’s more on the ringtail cat!

6.) Predators of these adorable creatures are the great horned owl, coyotes, and bobcats.

7.) Mating happens between February – May and females are typically responsible for raising the young.

Did you know…?
In August, 1986 the ringtail became the State Mammal of Arizona.

8.) Females produce 2 – 4 cubs who’s eyes open in 4 weeks. They begin hunting in 4 months.

Now a Short Ringtail Cat Video!

Learn more about all kinds of cool critters, right here!

Be sure to share & comment below!

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Critter Man

With over 45 years of critter experience to my credit and hundreds of zoology teaching hours to people around the world, I have amassed not only a continuing thirst for critter knowledge but a desire to teach others all I can about the majesty and wonder of our natural world. Critter Science is a culmination of such knowledge. I have hands on as well as book acquired intel on all kinds of critters. Whether they're on land, sea, or in the air. I will never say that I know everything about all animals. That's impossible, even for a savant. But, that being said, ask me any animal question and I'll answer it. If I don't know the answer, I'll get an answer for you!

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