The Ringtail
(click on a photo to enlarge)
What a surprise to step out on the patio one night and find a Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) sitting on one of the windowsills. It didn’t even bolt when we met within a few feet of each other. I thought I was going outside to photograph moths at the black light. Instead, I headed straight back into the house scrambling for my telephoto lens and powerful flashlight hoping that our close encounter wouldn’t result in it exiting our walled backyard. Luckily, a little searching with the light found the endearing little creature behind some vegetation along the back wall.
Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus)
I approached as slowly as possible so as not to scare it and much to my amazement, it came out from the vegetation and headed straight toward me affording better photos than I could have hoped for.
The Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus), with its fox-like face and cat-like body is related to neither of those species. Its tail is the giveaway — it is related to raccoons (sometimes called Coon Cat)! Strictly nocturnal, it spends the day in caves, rocky crevices, or tree cavities lined with leaves, moss and grass and ventures out after dark in search of food. It is an omnivore, eating anything from insects, scorpions, spiders, reptiles, amphibians to small birds and mammals such as bats, mice, rats, squirrels, rabbits and even carrion. It also likes persimmons, acorns, and the berries of mistletoe, juniper and hackberry. It is an agile climber easily climbing trees and walls.
Ringtails have also (incorrectly) been called “Civet Cats” because they have anal glands which emit a foul-smelling odor when threatened. This is similar to a musky substance which also produced by African Civet Cats (Civettictis civetta) and is used as a stabilizer in making perfumes. However Civet Cats aren’t true cats either being more closely related to the mongoose. Another name is “Miner’s Cat” because they are apparently easily domesticated and were kept by miners to help control rodents. Maybe our problem with mice moving into our BBQ is over! I wouldn’t mind that at all.
Described as secretive and seldom seen, we feel fortunate to have this beautiful creature visit our yard.
Published by Arlene Ripley on October 24th, 2009 Tagged Arizona, Cochise County, Mammals, Nature
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